#i’m still number 1 library fan. but it will still be nice to fill the other one

[tricoufamily]

alright all the eddies and ozzies got homes now

[settersloveletters]

NO. 1 FAN

• part sixteen; just endurance training

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⤷ y/n will always go out of her way for her family, especially for her 7 year old niece, who happens to be kageyama tobio’s number one fan. what happens when the charming sweetheart, y/n, meets the emotionally null, kageyama tobio? and what happens when those two fall in love at first sight?

a/n: its here.. ENDING is ambiguous. ill leave it up to those big imaginations yall have 🧠 hahaha. IDK IF THIS IS TOO OOC. whatever ill justify it by saying “adult kags is mature and horny and knows what hes dooing hahsjej. also likes to dirty talk im sure of it 🤗🤩😋

[!] under is written smut which is not important to the story, sorta, kinda [!]

➳ word count: 1.5k

➳ warnings: smut, but nothing too crazy; hand job, praise kink (kageyama recieving), cum eating?! is there a proper word for that lool

Wow, he’s really hot. Not that that’s new news, but here he is, in your small living room, freshly showered with damp hair in the comfiest loungewear. After all the commotion -- trying to fix the car only to decide on letting him sleepover, setting up a comfortable sleeping place for him, and of course, not trying to embarrass yourself on countless occasions -- you two now rest.

“Hey, wanna watch something?” you suggest as the two of you sit on the couch, a TV perched on the cabinet across from you. Even though you two sit at least three feet apart, you feel his body heat emanating and he hears your heart beating a mile a minute. It’s weird, you two are usually so normal and casual, able to converse and talk, but why is it so different right now.

“Sure, you can choose.”

“Romcom? Oh, or maybe this documentary. Wait no, I actually like this movie,” indecisively you scroll through the library of movies. “That one,” Kageyama says in such an alluring tone that has your finger slipping, the chosen movie is now beginning.

Minutes in, it might be your mind playing games, but the distance between you has become smaller and smaller, and before you know it your hips are touching. You feel every rise of his chest when he breathes and he feels every time you jump or squirm against him. And to be honest, the movie is getting deathly boring when your eyes would much rather feast upon the man beside you, his toned arms and big hands. You’re almost so tempted to touch them, compare them to your own, interlock both your fingers.

“Are you even watching the movie?” Kageyama scoffs, and when you get a better look at his face, you see the small rosy tinge that covers his cheeks. “Yes, I am. Are you?” leaning into him even further, your body acts before your mind can think. You give him a peck on his cheek. It’s not like you two have never kissed before, but this feels new, fresh, exhilarating.

“I am, for your information. Unlike you, staring at me like you’re the predator and I’m the prey,” he looks you dead in the eyes, deep blue engulfing you. He’s letting you know the nature of the relationship; he is no prey.

Gently grabbing the back of your neck, Kageyama pulls you into a kiss, lips touching and sending pleasurable jolts across your body. The distant movie playing has drowned out in the background as your heavy breathing and heartbeats fill the room. You even let out the tiniest of whimpers that shoot straight down to his cock. His other hand begins to wander, until it settles around the small of your waist, pulling you up onto his lap.

You two spend an eternity, his touch constantly rubbing along your body, your fingers twirling around his hair, and your lips and tongues dancing with each other. With your legs straddling his, you don’t shy away from giving an experimental grind against his clothed erection.

“Hm,” his moan is muffled in your interlocked lips. You pull off, looking him in his eyes, all clouded and gasping for air. There’s something tantalizing about the thought of being the one to seduce Japan’s top young athlete. Seeing the young star in front of you, lips red and swollen from all the kissing and almost begging to be touched. It has you quivering at the knees. This is Kageyama Tobio..

“Ha, I didn’t think you’d.. Baby, let’s take it slow, yeah?” you tell him, slipping the cute pet name in which has him pulling you in closer to him.

“Of course. To be honest, I don’t know how much of you I can handle at once,” he looks down at you, jabbing at your usual boldness and forwardness. You can tell he’s nervous. “I should be saying that to you,” you sigh, hands grabbing onto the formed tent in his sweatpants that has you too excited. He’s big.

“So, why don’t we just touch today,” you give him a reassuring smile, giving his cock another squeeze that has him moaning aloud again. Kageyama just simply looks at you and gives a nod in response. He’s embarrassed at his own voice, but to you, it sounds like heaven. You don’t hesitate in lowering the waistband of his pants and boxers, letting the heat of his cock expose itself. Looking at it has you biting your lower lip and shifting in his lap. You wrap your hands around his girth, feeling heavy in your hands as the thick veins tickle the pads of your fingers. You stroke his shaft, listening to the way he audibly gasps and groans under your ministrations. Your fingertip rubs along the head, picking up the drop of precum, allowing you to give him a more satisfying jerk.

“Do that, that felt good,” he breaths out. You pick up the repetitive motions as you feel the surface of his cock heating up, and the unsuppressed sounds spilling from his mouth. The sweet clicks of your strokes has you desperate for more, desperate to pleasure him more. Boldly, you spit onto the head of cock, slicking him up and quickening the pace. Kageyama lets out a needy noise that has your insides trembling and panties uncomfortably wet.

He likes the attention, you know it. He loves being able to openly receive this love from you, no matter how foreign or new it is to him. This thrill Kageyama feels has him aching for more. His hands grasp onto the legs that sit on his lap, squeezing the soft exposed flesh of your skin. His mind goes wild imagining what lies beneath those tight shorts you purposely wore to seduce him, what you’d look like all exposed just for him. He’s not usually this dirty minded, but you’ve always managed to pull out the craziest things from him.

“What are you thinking about, baby?” you ask with your innocent and calming voice, totally contrasting the lewd hands that continue to rub at his cock.

“I’m thinking about a lot of things..”

“Like what my panties look like?”

You will be the death of him, he swears. Before he can even respond or react, you’re already removing your shorts, showing him the delicate black fabric underneath that leaves oh so little to the imagination. Kageyama is brazen and confident on the court, but in the intimacy of right now, you have to be in control of the game. Straddling him again, you continue where you left off, bringing him closer to his release with your hand, kissing along his jaw and neck. “I won’t leave marks, don’t worry.”

“I don’t mind,” he manages to say through his pants. Without hesitation, you leave the tiniest mark on the side of his neck. The thought of tainting his perfect skin has you moaning against him, only egging him further to completion. His cock twitches in your hands, which has you stroking him faster.

“C’mon baby, you can cum anytime. You’ve been so good to me,” praising him, Kageyama looks directly into your eyes, face gone red, eyes hooded with uncontrollable lust as he groans aloud at your words. He likes it. “You’re so hot, baby. Cock’s so hard just for me,” his breathing gets heavier. “Gonna cum soon? Do it. Be good and cum all o-” He suddenly grabs both your wrists in his hand, stopping you from doing or saying anything else.

“Get on your fucking knees.”

You weren’t expecting that at all, which has you smirking and doing exactly what he says. Getting off his lap, you settle on the ground in front of him. You watch Kageyama intently as he stands right in front of you, cock in his dominant hand. He rubs himself, shallow jerks near the head of his big cock, with his other hand resting itself at the back of your head.

“I’m about to.. Can I?” his gasps get louder as he reaches the brink of climax. You stick your tongue out, a nice distance away from him, willing to accept all the love he has to offer. You admire the way his cock stills, and with a moan that has you throbbing, spurts of his cum land in your mouth. White ropes paint your tongue and face as Kageyama looks down at you, gasping for breath. You swallow his seed, all while never breaking your eye contact.

The movie has been long done, leaving you two alone in the now quiet room. Your thighs rub together, still in need for his touch even though he looks utterly exhausted. “You wanna sleep now, baby?” you simply say as he pulls his pants up, adjusting his now softening cock. Kageyama grabs a small cloth from his bag and begins wiping your face clean.

“No,” he discards the cloth and picks you up bridal style, walking you two to your bedroom. “It’s not that late. And, I still think I have a lot to learn..”

“Don’t you have practice tomorrow morning?”

“This is just endurance training.”

- TAGLIST -

@anhphunnnn | @adamarvv | @asahiswaifu | @fangirling-25-8 | @kei-kui | @lilacshouko | @smol-enbybackup | @gyubit17 | @renee1414 | @denkiwenki | @xanaxdeity | @cuddlesslut | @nikkipea | @lovemesomehwa | @muiyuuuu | @oikawalmart-hq | @mirdy47707 | @lumiriai | @notamazinglizzy | @starwrite-er | @dearkags | @hamsterfan17 | @sugawsites | @anime-simp | @singleandlonely | @levisackerwoman | @cactuski6 | @kingkagss | @gentlechainsaws | @h0wab0utw3d0ntd0that | @prettymuchboo | @highlyanxiousintroverted | @anna-pcy21 | @sweetlysugawara | @yqshirov | @kingkags | @marifujioka | @luna-barnes14 | @musekala | @thechaosoflonging | @oikawasphlatass | @tremendousglitterthing | @kathya420 | @daninaninani | @maii-flowers | @akakuzumo | @tycrackculture | @gaychemicalwater | @mariachiii | @kiyoomile | @jaxneedshelp | @xs-hoodie | @preparingtofall |

(taglist continues in the replies!!)

[booksarelife-stuff]

The Story of Us-Chapter 1

Jily (James Potter/ Lily Evans), minor wolfstar

Word Count: 1366

Modern Muggle AU. When Lily Evans meets the man across the hall due to a fire alarm, she has no idea that a new chapter of her life has begun. Featuring a librarian Lily and sports journalist James. 

Masterlist   Read on AO3  Chapter 2

Chapter 1- I was enchanted to meet you. 

Of course, the fire alarm would go off right as Lily was getting her bath ready. Lily cursed but was grateful that she hadn’t yet stripped down. 

She grabbed her keys and phone and slipped on shoes before heading out the door. She almost went to the elevator before she remembered that one had to take the stairs in case of emergency. 

She didn’t see anyone until she got to the third floor. Most days, she was thankful to have the top floor of her apartment building, but this was one of those times where she wasn’t so pleased. 

Lily was surprised by the number of people who filled the parking lot. She didn’t think the building was that big. She knew that they needed to stand back, so she went to her assigned parking space. She heard fire engines in the distance and for the first time, Lily wondered if there was an actual fire. The alarm in her apartment went off every time she popped some popcorn. 

She leaned against her car, the same old Toyota that she had bought right before uni, and opened her phone. She wished she had brought the book she had planned to read in her bath, but settled on mindlessly scrolling through social media, thankful that September hadn’t brought in cold weather, as she was wearing a t shirt and shorts.

She was seeing which former classmate had gotten engaged this week when she glanced up and saw a man holding a large, fluffy ginger cat. 

The man was handsome, a mop of curls on his head and thick black glasses. He was tall and had nice arms, judging by the way his t-shirt hugged his arms. 

He walked to the car besides Lily, meaning that he must be her neighbor, as the parking assignments were done by apartment number. The man unlocked his the door to a newer looking Volvo and gently sat his cat down in the backseat. 

“What’s your cat name?” Lily asked, as he closed the door. The man turned and smirked. 

“Buttercream,” he replied. Lily smiled and laughed a little. The man had a little bit of a Scottish accent as he talked. 

“That’s an interesting name for a cat,” she said. 

“He was named at the shelter. I didn’t have the heart to change it,” he replied. He leaned against the side of the car. Buttercream peaked up from the window beside him, wondering why his owner put him in the car. The man ran a hand through his hair. “So, we must be neighbors.”

“Seems like it. When did you move in?” Lily asked. “Last I checked an old man named Sal lived across from me.”

“I moved in about two weeks ago,” he replied. 

“Nice.”

It was quiet for a second. Lily turned and faced forward to see the fire truck arriving, it’s flashing lights blinding her a bit before they turned off. She wondered what happened to Sal for a minute.

“I’m James, by the way,” the man said. Lily turned back towards him, Sal forgotten.

“I’m Lily. Pleasure to meet you,” she said, flashing a polite smile. 

“How long have you lived here?” James asked, putting his hands in his pocket of his sweatpants.

“About a year now,” Lily said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “I moved here when I graduated uni.”

“Oh nice. I just graduated,” James said. “Would have been sooner but I had to take some time off.”

“What did you study?” 

“Sports Journalism and Broadcasting.”

Lily hummed. “And you landed a job here? I didn’t think we had any professional Sports teams here.”

The man tsked. 

“That’s where you would be wrong,” he said. “Our lovely town has a professional bowling team.”

Lily couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her. 

“Do we really?” she asked. James nodded, a bright smile on his face. 

“We do. The Cannons,” he said. “Practice every Thursday at the Hog’s Head Bowling Alley.”

Lily giggled a little more. 

“So where do you work?” she asked. 

“The Prophet. I cover all secondary schools sports and the Bowling team,” James said. She liked that he seemed thrilled that that was his job. “What about you, Lily?”

“I’m a librarian,” she replied. “Actually at the branch just down the street from the Prophet offices.”

“Oh that sounds interesting,” James said. Lily was pleased to see that he looked like he actually meant it. Most people had one of two reactions when Lily disclosed her profession. The “that sounds boring” and the “why that?”. 

“Did you go to uni for that?” he asked. 

“Yeah. I’m working on a post grad degree now,” she said. “I want to run the whole library someday, you know?”

James hummed and looked thoughtful for a second. 

“You know,” he began. “I never thought that you needed a degree to be a librarian.”

“Not a lot of people do,” she replied. She looked from James to the window of his car, where Buttercream was swatting at the window. She smiled a bit. 

Silence fell again and Lily felt the need to say something. 

“So, where are you from?” she asked.

“Scotland. Elgin to be exact,” he replied. “It’s near the Loch Ness.”

“And Inverness,” Lily supplied. Outlander was a guilty pleasure of hers so she was quite familiar with the fictional version of that area.

James cocked his head to the side. 

“I think you’re the first Brit I’ve ever met that knew that,” he said. Lily laughed. 

“I could tell you why, but I think you’d laugh at me,” she said. “I would expect you to have a thicker accent than you have though.”

James sighed. “Unfortunately, I spent way too much time at a British Boarding school.”

“Probably so posh they didn’t like the Scots much?” Lily asked. 

“Yep. Tried to beat it out of me but it still lingers,” he said. “I can’t speak a lick of Gaelic though.”

“Neither can I,” she said. She felt smug as James laughed. 

“So, care to tell me why you’re so familiar with the Scottish Highlands?” he asked, crossing his arms. 

Lily looked away. 

“I said you’ll probably laugh at me for it,” she repeated. 

“I promise I won’t.”

Lily thought for a second. She normally wasn’t ashamed of her love for the smutty books, normally defended them to critics who say they aren’t real literature, but she reserved from actually saying anything. Maybe because she never had to talk about the books with a Scottish person before. 

“The series, Outlander,” she said. She looked back at James, whose expression hadn’t changed.

“I’ve never heard of it,” he said. 

“It’s a book series,” she supplied. “There’s also a television show.”

“Hmm. I’ll guess I’ll have to look into it. It may make me homesick though.”

The firemen started leaving and the others in the parking lot started heading back towards the building. 

“Well, I guess that’s the all clear,” James said. 

Lily waited for him to retrieve Buttercream, who let out a large meow as James scooped him up. He held Buttercream close to his chest. 

“So, where are you from?” James asked as they started walking. 

“Cokeworth,” she replied. 

“I can’t say I know where that is,” James asked. 

“I wouldn’t expect you too,” she replied. “It’s just a small town North of London. Dead in the middle of England.”

James nodded and they walked back in. Buttercream wasn’t a fan of being jostled up the stairs, as he meowed so loud it echoed through the stairs, causing Lily to laugh. 

“So Lily, I’ll guess I’ll be seeing you around, then?” James asked as they neared their doors. He ran a hand through his hair, making it even more unruly than it had been. 

“Of course,” she said. He smiled and grabbed his keys out of his pocket. 

Lily told him to have a nice evening before she unlocked her door and went to her apartment. She went to go drain her cold bathwater and decided a shower would have to do. 

Later, she went to grab the book she had intended on reading in the tub, but stopped short. She grabbed her copy of Outlander instead. 

[halo-jpeg]

Bearable | A Reddie Fanfiction

Read it from the beginning

Chapter 1

"Bill, why? Why would you say yes to that party? We don't know him! What if he's some serial killer? What if he tries to get us to do drugs? What if he kills us or lives in a dumpster or something?" Eddie is erratic, his drink still in his hand. They were hardly off the block of the little cafe known as Portland Authentic. Eddie hadn't been too fond of the guy behind the counter, mostly because he had written 'Eds' on his coffee cup. "I mean- we only just got to Portland and you're already going to get us killed or something!"

"Eddie, it'll be fine," Stan is the one to cut in with reassurance, taking a sip from his own cup and somehow not flinching at the taste of the straight caffeine, "Yeah, he was a little energetic but he didn't seem malicious. I think it'll be a good opportunity to get to know some new people." Eddie opened his mouth to speak, but Bill beat him to it, and no one had the disrespect to talk over Bill. That was just... off limits, so Eddie shut his mouth again and tried not to grimace.

"Buh-buh-besides," He started, one hand in the pocket of his jeans, the other soaking up the warmth of his cinnamon cappuccino, "It'll be guh-good to get out and see what kind of people Portland has to offer." With that, the discussion was closed, and Eddie let it drop with just a sigh, trying to shake away the lingering annoyance clinging to his mind. There were too many good things about Portland to worry about the bad things- in just a few days he would be working towards his dream as a doctor- he had always wanted to be a doctor. When he was younger, he had wanted his career to be within the health arena for the sake of reassuring his mother that he could take care of himself without being stuck behind a desk- now, though, he wanted to become a doctor to prove his mother wrong, to learn all sorts of things that would help him confirm that he wasn't sick, and had never been sick like Sonia Kaspbrak had said he was.

The rest of the walk back home was near silent, consisting of craned necks and obvious gawking- Portland really was gorgeous, and so different from Derry. Rather than the tiny, modest homes Eddie and his friends grew up knowing, almost everything in the downtown area was some form of 19th century architecture or something alike- each building consisted of warm tones, arched windows, grand streetlamps with pots of colourful flowers. Eddie can't even imagine what it must look like in the daylight.

"Oh, here's my work," Stan said, seeming not to have realized what street they were wandering down. The three halted outside of a small flower shop, Roses on Deane, and approached the large, open windows in the front. The lights were out inside, obviously, but it was still possible to make out the shapes of many many bouquets. Stan had managed to score a job a few months back thanks to a cousin who had a friend who owned the place, and though Stan never considered himself a huge fan of flowers, Eddie could see how the place would fit him. At least one of them had a job- Eddie shudders to think that there is yet another huge thing he needs to get done this weekend. If he doesn't have a job by next weekend then he won't be able to pitch in to help with rent. Bill, who had been working at the library back home, had been transferred here too, so he was also getting payed bi-weekly. Eddie was alone in his unemployment, but that was okay. He was smart, and efficient, and he would get a job sooner or later somewhere.

"When do you start?" He asked, finally bringing his rapidly-cooling drink up to his lips. He braced himself for a horrid taste, taking a slow, tentative sip, and almost letting a sound of approval slip past his lips. It didn't... It didn't taste horrible. Peppermint was okay, in his opinion, and it balanced out the bitterness of the coffee just right.

"Tuesday at 5:00," Stan took one last glance through the window, smiling serenely and turning to continue on to their new apartment. Again, the three fell into silence, calm and comfortable. They walked another three blocks before spotting their building, and Bill was the one to pull out an access card to scan at the door. Their bags were already up in their house, and Eddie had even made a few comments on how he appreciated the security. Electronic locks were unheard of to Eddie until today, and he was pleased. Now, he was too exhausted to be pleased. His coffee had him buzzing, and he would force himself to stay awake until his suitcase was unpacked, but he couldn't wait to curl up in his new bed, away from his hometown for the first time in years.

"We'll have to go grocery shopping tuh-tomorrow," Bill hummed half to himself as he stepped into the elevator, clicking the button labeled with a '2'. "We won't have any fuh-fuh-food. I'll buy us breakfast in the morning."

"Thanks, Bill," Stan smiles, "We can make a meal plan, budget things out. Just to make sure we can always make rent." Eddie nodded along, and took another long sip of the minty-bitter drink in his hand.

"We should go look at the campus. I want to find out where my classes are, maybe." Eddie found himself rocking back and forth on his heels, watching the little glowing number above the elevator buttons blink from 'G' to '1' to, at last, '2'. With a ding, the doors slid open, and a dim hallway was presented to them, the lights on low now that it was just about 10:00 pm.

"I want to go see Back Cove Park at some point. The bird watching is great. They have egrets sometimes, and other birds I haven't seen yet. I always go there when I visit- it's like tradition." Stifling a yawn (not because of the bird talk- Eddie was just tired) Eddie nodded his head. In all honesty, a nature walk sounded nice. Already, he was missing the Barrens, the poor dam he remembers building with Bill ages and ages ago. "It's right on the water, so we can go fishing too, or swimming if you guys wanted to. It isn't always as warm as it is tonight, and it's only getting colder, but..." Stan shrugs. They arrive at their apartment door, number 29, and yet again Bill is the one to pull out his key and stick it into the lock, giving it a twist and pushing the door wide open. Eddie steps inside first, flicking on the light and taking in the sight of his new apartment.

The door opened up into a short hallway. To his direct right there was a door leading to a small closet. A little ways ahead, the hallway broke both left and right, the left way leading to the kitchen and living room along with the doors to the balcony and Bill's room- in turn, the right way led to the main bathroom and the two other bedrooms reserved for Eddie and Stan.

"Wuh-well, I guess this is goodnight," Bill says, shutting the door behind him and kicking off his shoes, "We all have a l-lot of unpacking to do, I'm sh-sure." Both Stan and Eddie nod in near-perfect unison.

"Goodnight, you guys. Enjoy your first sleep in our new house." Stan speaks with a grin, staring at both Eddie and Bill with that intense hazel gaze that seems to communicate the intense reality of the situation. The three men had made it out of their childhood town, and now they were living on their own. They really weren't children anymore. Along with that look in Stan's eyes came a heavy feeling of bittersweetness- Derry was gone, now, and with it, Eddie's childhood. He smiled at his two best friends, and then turned down the hallway to greet his room.

-----

"Alright, that's everything," Ben says as the doors to the cafe swing shut and he locks them tight.

"Another job well done, boy! Another fantastic job, I'd say!" Richie throws one arm over Ben's shoulders, and then the other pulls in Bev by the arm. Crushing his two buddies in a double side-hug, he speaks in his almost-perfected MovieTone Newsreel Announcer Voice, disturbing the silence of the dark Portland streets, "You're both quite the caffeine-mixin' maestros, eh? You'll do great things for this world, great things!"

"Beep-beep, Richie. I'm exhausted." Beverly was smiling, sure, but Richie really could tell that she was done with today. He let both she and Ben go, toning down his behavior and pulling out a pack of cigarettes, offering one to each along with his lighter. Ben declined as politely as possible, so Richie and Bev were left to smoke without him.

"You'll get those beers for me, won't you?" Richie asks, taking a drag and relishing in the way the smoke filled his lungs. He should probably quit sooner or later, huh? Maybe one day. "I've got the cash back home. I'll give it to you and you can just go buy whatever you want. Party booze of your choice." Ben let out a chuckle, waving a hand in front of his face to show his dislike of the cigarette smoke. Richie mumbled something akin to an apology.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll get it. And don't worry about paying me back, I'll be drinking it too." Richie beamed. With a light punch to the shoulder, he turned his attention to Bev, ready to play a little bit of Cupid.

"You're coming too, right Bevvie?" He asked the question as if it were nothing, oh-so subtly bumping Ben with his elbow. Beverly shrugged.

"Probably. It's basically a sin to miss out on an infamous Tozier party, isn't it?" She placed the cigarette against her lips, and puffed out smoke right after. "What else is happening other than drinking too much and getting the Police called on us for being too loud?" Richie couldn't help but snicker at that. The Police had, on numerous occasions, been called on him for playing his music at ungodly levels, but, I mean, come on, he has fantastic taste and the world needs to know it.

"Who knows, maybe some pin the tail on the donkey? Musical chairs?" Ben and Beverly both let out a snort, the redhead spinning to face Richie with suddenly bright eyes.

"Please," She said with a wide, bright smile, "I would pay to see you get annihilated by Ben."

"Excuse me, Miss Marsh, but I pride myself on being a musical chairs master! I was unbeatable in my fifth grade class!" Placing a feign-offended hand on his chest, Richie guffawed, upturning his nose in mock disgust. Beverly was laughing now, a light and cheery sound almost like the jingling of the bell in the cafe but a little less annoying. The bell also didn't make Ben's face light up, and he didn't want to hear the bell forever.

"Probably because you were built like string cheese, Richie- No offense, of course." Beverly only laughed harder at Ben's quip, and yeah, Richie admits that it was pretty good and about 99% true.

"The best damn string cheese you've ever tasted, Haystack," Richie shot his friend a wink, lifting one foot and crushing his cigarette out on the sole of his shoe, "Now, my dearests, I must depart- nice work we did today, you two!" Richie flicked the butt away, speaking over his shoulder as he set off in the direction of home. "I'll see you both at my party!" He spins on his heel, waving Ben and Bev off with one last peace sign before continuing on into the darkness. Richie hummed a little tune to himself, a pep in his step despite his light tiredness. Oh, how he wanted to get home- the idea of cracking open a soda and sitting in front of the TV sounded pretty damn great right about now. For a Friday night the world was surprisingly quiet- the same wouldn't be said about tomorrow. Toziers were born to party. Richie's dad had thrown some ragers in his teenage days, and so had his mom- now, it was his turn to take on the family name and keep that legacy going. Other than beer he probably needed some snacks, chips or cookies or as Ben had so wonderfully suggested string cheese because who doesn't like string cheese? He made a mental note to go grocery shopping tomorrow and hoped that he didn't forget it.

Richie's apartment came into view, a pretty little six floor building made of a nice red brick. He lived on the top floor and his neighbors probably hated him for reasons that should be obvious enough but he'd yet to be kicked out which meant he still had some boundaries to push. He'd been brewing up a new party playlist for a few days now and he made yet another mental note to throw on 'Dancing Queen'. Richie's humming transformed into whistling as he pulled open the door to his building, waving to the late-night receptionist, a kind young lady who hated his guts and probably thought he was flirting with her all the time when he really didn't even swing that way.

"Good evening, m'lady," He said with a goofy, lopsided grin, earning a scowl over the top of a home-deco magazine, "Quite the swell night it is," He didn't linger long, pressing the call button for the elevator and stepping inside. He tapped '6' and waited, his spirits high, excited for tomorrow. He liked getting ready for parties. He liked the decorations he always put up, the arrangement of the snacks that he put too much thought into, and the anticipation of being the host because that always meant most eyes were on him. Up up up the elevator went, and let out a happy little ding as the doors peeled back open and he went right to his door. Richie pulled out his keys, jamming them into the doorknob and pushing the door open to reveal the space inside. "Honey, I'm home!" He called out the words, arms out at his side in a motion of grandeur. Of course, there was no response, and he kicked the door shut with his heel. Richie tossed his keys onto the little table by the door, toeing off each shoe in turn and leaving them discarded in the middle of the entryway.

"Hey there, babes," His first stop was the fish tank on the kitchen counter, packed with swimming little neon tetra and angelfish and Richie's prized bala shark he named Bella- creative, he knows- to sprinkle in some food. The little jar was just beside the aquarium, and he popped off the lid, shaking it above the open water and watching his little pals swim forth for their dinner. With his lasting grin, Richie let out a chuckle, his heart swelling at the sight of his aquatic children as he set the food back on the counter and took a step away. His own stomach let out a growl, and he realized for the first time that he hasn't eaten since after his last class, way back at 3:00. Popping open his fridge, Richie scanned it's contents- yep, he really needed to go get food tomorrow. There was next to nothing. He settled half-reluctantly on some month-old instant ramen and cooked it up with ease. Richie hadn't had instant ramen in ages, but there was a good amount of nostalgia contained within the simple dish. It had carried him through high school one plastic cup at a time, helping him fight through long nights of studying and even a nasty breakup.

The microwave let out three beeps, calling out 'Hey! I'm done, come eat me!' with each and every one. Richie ate it as he hastily cleaned up the kitchen, throwing dishes in the dishwasher and even taking the time to watch a casserole dish by hand, putting on his playlist but keeping the speakers on a low volume for the sake of his neighbors. No more than 15 minutes passed and then he was done, finally allowing himself to do what he's been anticipating all day. With a Pepsi in hand, he made the couch his home, curling up in a knitted blanket and tuning into 'Friends'. As he watched, one eye always on the TV, he snatched the black nail polish from it's spot on the coffee table and began to paint it over the chipped remnants of what was already there. At some point, after they'd dried, he ended up falling asleep on the sofa.

[sardonic-courtney]

Crowley x Reader. We Met Before. P2/7

Summary: You end up living with Bobby after your parents die. You go to church and meet Priest Crowley and you end up getting along (if you know what i mean). A few years later when Bobby passes you move the the bunker with Sam and Dean and end up meeting Crowley again.

Part 1  Part 3  Part 4  Part 5  Part 6 Part 7

Warnings: Mention of loss, Spelling mistakes, Picture of gun (straight after keep reading), you go to church?

Around 1700 words.

Meeting:

(Around season 5 but not following story at all)

…the day before your 18th birthday. The day you can finally start training and helping on hunts. You fall asleep after the movie and wake up to your alarm reading 8.30am (Birthdate) Sunday. The day you had been waiting for. You could finally start training. Well after Sunday service, it was something your mother never failed to attend no matter what state she was hunting in and you kept that alive, even if you weren’t exactly sure how you felt about religion, but going helped you feel close to your mum again, and after hearing briefly about what the Winchesters had gone though it could be useful to learn a bit more. You got ready and headed to the kitchen where you met with Bobby.

“Happy Birthday kid” he said trying to sound as enthusiastic as possible, even though he had woken up kinda early on a weekend.

“Hey, I’m 18 now, no longer a kid.” You smiled at him.

He shook his head in response chuckling as he grabbed an envelope with a box attached to it. When you received it you could see your name written messily on the envelope in a blue ink, you opened it and to no surprise was a card with (Your fav animal) wearing a hat, just like every year. You smiled and read the inscription inside. Then headed for the black box with a gold ribbon loosely tied around, Bobby had never been the best at bows, but you love the effort. Untying and opening the box you see a silver gun with carvings on, and a wooden handle with a pentacle carved. (Like below but you can change to preference)

“I know it's not much, but it was your dad’s, the boys found it when they…” he trailed of for a second. “when they were searching the nest, I thought it was the best time to give it to you, seeing as you’re so god damned persistent on training.”

“I love it Bobby, thank you so much” You gently lay it on the table and encase him in a hug, which he allows for a few seconds”

“Alright” He said patting your back and stepping away, “just because you have a gun doesn’t mean you are ready to hunt though. Understood?”

“Yeah I know” you reply trying not to laugh at his stern expression.

“Right well there’s some (f/f) if your hungry” he said moving to reveal a plate behind him.

“Oh my gosh you didn’t have to” You say looking at the counter with a neatly plated breakfast. You grabbed it and sat down enjoying the change from the usual cereal or toast, and with a mouth half full asked. “When can I start?”

“Lunch time. We will start with some basics ways to hunt and defend yourself.”

You were about to speak when he interrupted guessing your thoughts.

“You won’t be going on any hunts anytime soon until you are 100% ready. You can help out with some of the research though”

You rolled your eyes, as if you didn’t already help with the research. You finished your food and said your goodbyes, Bobby probably heading back to bed for a nap, you left heading for church to see Priest Peter. He was a nice priest and you got to know him a bit with the visits you made.

You were stood outside the church on time at 9:30 when you friend Lena came up and you started heading in. Lena was lovely, you had met at your first church service and continues to go together ever since. You didn’t really see each other outside, but you grew close nonetheless. She was only a year older than you but sometimes it seemed like she was half her age. She like the rest of people outside your small family didn’t know it was your birthday, and you liked that.

“So (Y/N), did you hear Priest Peters gone away for a while?” she spoke grinning at you, unlike you she didn’t like Peter, said his voice made her want to sleep.

“What, how come? I didn’t hear anything” you replied completely confused.

“Yep, No one knows for sure, but I think it's something about a family member getting married in Australia.”

“So, do we have Marcus today then?” Marcus was as you called him jr Peter, he was still in training and followed Peter around like a lost dog.

“Must do” She replied smiling, she never said it but you could tell she liked Marus a lot more, you took your seats, you sat on the second row back always. It was good for the winter because it was next to a heater, and good for the summer because it was near an openable window. You and Lena sat and talked about pointless things until everyone had sat down and the service started.

The priest walked up, but it wasn’t Marcus or anyone you had ever seen before. It was a very attractive man. He had messy hair, and very short beard on his pale skin. He was slightly chubby and wearing the usual priest get up, but for some reason seemed slightly us of place. Your eyes were drawn to him, it was like you couldn’t look away.

“Good Morning. I am Father Crowley, and I will be covering for Peter whilst he is away at his sister’s wedding.” he spoke confirming Lenas rumor.

He had a beautiful English accent and managed to get everyone's attention without raising his voice. The service went on as usual, although you payed more attention to the man in front of you instead of his teachings of God. Before long, it was over, and you all got up to give blessings and mingle a bit before you were to go. After a while Lena had left having to go run an errand, and you were talking to an old woman you did the occasional job for who lived about 5 minutes away. Just as you finished your conversation and the women went out, your phone buzzed, and you pulled it out of your pocket. 10.45 am, and two new messages.

One from Sam “Morning (Y/N), Happy Birthday, hope you have a good day, me and Dean will try to visit soon, I found a book in the bunker library you will like.”

Another from Dean “Happy Birthday (N/N) good luck training today, have a good one. Me and Sammy will swing round in a couple weeks to check in and make sure Bobby’s not driving you too crazy. Be safe xx”

You smiled as you slid your phone away deciding to reply later. You had been close to the Winchesters after the accident, both becoming brothers to you, Dean was however much more protective of you then Sam was. You looked around and noticed you were the last to leave, as you turned towards the doors you noticed Father Crowley still stood there looking at you.

“Did you enjoy the service?” he asked casually walking over to you.

You hesitated a moment before replying with a simple “Yes”. You don’t know why but he made you feel slightly nervous, not in a bad way, but you couldn’t describe it. You noticed up close his eyes were a sort of green colour.

“Good, I’m new to holding services to be honest with you…”

“(Y/N)” you filled in the blank.

“(Y/N) what a lovely name. Do you always come to church (Y/N)?” He asked lingering on your name.

“Yes, Father every week” you replied composing yourself a little. “It seemed like you had done a thousand services before, I don’t think anyone noticed”

“Thank you, and please just call me Crowley, I’m not a big fan of the whole Father thing” he said smiling. “What were your thoughts on the passage read today?”

“I’m not sure. I think in some ways it………...but it seems a bit………” You gave your opinion and Crowley responded with a grin.

“I agree completely. Well I assume you will be here next week?”

“Yes, I will be, and you?”

“Peter will still be away so it will be me again for at least another 2 weeks. Would you perhaps like to meet up after service for coffee and discus some more of your views?”

“Sure, I would love to” you replied trying to hide your smile, “I better get going though, goodbye Crowley.”

“Until next time” he nodded as you left to go back home.

Meeting up next week? For coffee? You thought as you walked along the path. Okay (Y/N) don’t think to much into it, he just wants to talk about the service. Oh, why did I agree, I don’t want to sit and talk to a priest about the bible, although I do want to talk to this specific priest more. Why am I even worrying about it it’s not like it’s a date, can priests even date? I wouldn’t even want it to be, he seems nice and he is attractive, but if he can date he's probably already married he did seem a bit older. It's probably a group thing and he just invited me along to go with them, of course that makes sense.

You finally arrived though the front door and are greeted with the sound of yelling coming from in the house.

“…no, you idjit, you’re supposed to give them the second number if you want the FBI………. Just don’t mess up again your lucky I have common sense.” He put the phone down just as you walked in the room.

“What was that?” You asked sitting on a chair.

“The wheelers, giving out the wrong numbers again. Your back later than usual service run over?” He asked looking at his watch.

“No just stayed to chat a bit after, it was a new priest.”

“Ahh I see, well do you want to watch a film seeing as its your birthday we could go get some snacks and rent a movie?”

“No way, you’re not getting out of this one, you said we would train at noon, its 11:30. We can watch a film after.” You looked up at him and he frowned.

“I don’t know kid, maybe we should wait another year.”

“Nope no chance, I’m going to get changed and then we can start.” Bobby looked unimpressed so you added on a “Please.” Giving him puppy dog eyes.

“Fine all right, alright go change we can start today”

“Yay thank you” You yelled heading up the stairs to get changed.

 A/N I don’t really know what a service looks like because i haven't been to one for ages, so apologise about that. Sorry if your names Lena as well don't worry show wont be mentioned much. Thank you for reading hope you enjoyed it. :D

[serendipityjxmn]

I Hate You, Park Jimin!

Chapter 9

Words Count: 5.7k

TW: Very slight smut

Link to Chapter 8

Link to Chapter 10

Summer holidays had officially started for me and it’s been a week since I’ve seen Jimin as well as that... ‘incident’. He had been very busy ever since after the fundraising event. I found myself constantly glancing at my phone for a single text or call from him. Maybe he disappeared because he decided it was not ‘it’ with you, a voice in my mind said. I shook my head, trying to dismiss the thought.

I tried to bring my focus back onto my work. I was in a bookshop, doing my second part-time job. I decided to take on two jobs this summer because I knew that I have nothing else to do because I’m such an antisocial.

Shit. I cursed as the books I held in my hand were supposed to be on the top shelves but I was too short to reach it yet I was lazy to hunt for a chair. I resulted into tiptoeing but my hand still couldn’t reach it.

Suddenly someone hovered over me and his hand easily placed the books on the shelf. I could smell his cologne and it was familiar. I turned around and saw Jeon Jungkook, his face half covered in a face mask. He was wearing a large black hoodie and a black baggy pants with brown Timberland shoes.

“Hey.” He said as he pulled down his mask.

“Hello Jeon Jungkook.” I said as I bent down to take out more books from the box. “What are you doing here?”

“I was just passing by...” he took the books from me and started filling up the top shelf.

“Hmmm.”

“You’re doing two part time jobs?”

I shrugged. “Yeah- well I don’t have a life.”

“Hey, no worries. I totally get it. We’re no different.”

I smiled at him.

“When are you off for lunch?”

I glanced at my watch. “How about.. now?”

He grinned. “Awesome.”

There were two guys on a table opposite ours when we entered the restaurant. One of them looked up as Jungkook and I took a seat at the table.

I looked up but regretted immediately as the guy across winked at me. Unknowingly I made a disgusted face.

“Is he bothering you?”

What? I looked at Jungkook. Then I looked at the guy again. This time he was making a kissy face. That was disgusting. How dare he! What if Jungkook was my boyfriend? He’s lucky that he wasn’t though. I quickly turned my gaze back at Jungkook and nodded slowly.

Jungkook suddenly moved his seat slightly to he left without turning his back. What is he doing?

“Is he still in your sight?”

Now I understood his intention. He was trying to block the guy from making eye contact with me. I smiled at him, feeling touched. “Just a little bit more to the left,” I said as I smiled fondly at him.

He moved and I nodded, signalling that the guy was now completely out of my sight.

“Good. You can now eat comfortably.” He smiled at me.

“Thanks.”

“Its nothing. I just personally don’t like guys doing disgusting acts like that. It may look small but it makes women uncomfortable and that shouldn’t happen.”

I melted. He was such a gentleman. I liked the fact that he did not engage with the stranger because frankly the guy would stop if he had given a death glare. Jungkook doesn’t do violence. I gleefully ate my food at the thought. Unlike someone... the guy might lose his two teeth by now. I shuddered remembering the fundraising event.

Jungkook came and visited me at the bookstore almost every single day after that, mainly about an hour before lunch. As a result, we had lunch together almost everyday. We grew much closer as I practically see him 24/7 since we also had most of the shifts at the cafe together too. Ah Young came by too sometimes. She matched well with Jungkook too so I was happy about that.

I put on my favourite pyjama dress and sat cross legged at the edge of my bed. I glanced at my phone. Empty. Just how busy is he..? A small part of my heart sank a little as it may occur to me that he might not want to see me anymore. Not even as a study partner.

Was it because we had some intimate moment and he decided that I was not it? The thought depressed me so I shook my head, trying to dismiss it. I reached for the hairdryer on my bed table and proceeded to dry my hair. My hair was long, stopping just after my mid-back. I fondled at the thought of dying my hair a different color just to add some.. ‘spice’ in my life. Yes, Kim Hana’s life is that boring. Hmm.. let’s decide on that later.

My phone chirped. My heart raced a little in anticipation. It lit up but the name that came up wasn’t the name that I wanted. It was Jungkook.

Jungkook: Still up?

Hana: Dead asleep.

Jungkook: Oh, so I guess you’re the astral projection of Hana then. Hey there! Nice to meet you!

I chuckled.

Hana: Did you seriously just made a reference of Doctor Strange?

Jungkook: Knew you’re the one ;)

I rolled my eyes.

Hana: Go to sleep Jeon Jungkook.

Jungkook: I can’t :(

Hana: Reason?

Jungkook: Can’t stop thinking about you.

I rolled my eyes again. Jungkook had always been flirty but I knew more that he was just joking. I don’t think I’ve ever had that spark with him. Unlike with that someone.. wow. Again, Kim Hana, stop it.

Hana: I’m going to sleep. Goodnight!

I locked my phone and laid myself on the bed. My phone buzzed.

Jungkook: Goodnight Hana. Dream of me ;)

I rolled my eyes again for the third time. I didn’t reply. I closed my eyes and soon drifted to sleep.

JIMIN’S POV

I groaned as I slumped myself on top of my bed. Today had been another long day. I was dragged around the whole day by my father, attending meetings here and there and having lunch and dinner with clients. My jaw hurts from all the fake smile I had to put up as dad introduced me to every single person known ever.

I had been going to the office every day since summer started due to dad’s orders. He wanted me to have a look at the office and grasp the idea of handling business. He also wanted me to be introduced to most of the key people so that it’d be easier for him to hand down the business to me. This had always been my path. I knew it since I was little which was also the reason why I had to study business managament.

Problem is the ‘so called internship’ - although it was barely an internship as I didn’t get ordered around to do errands because everybody knew I was the CEO’s son. I wish it was kept private though. The amount of people kissing my ass made me shudder - anyway, it took my time away from Hana. I didn’t get a chance to see her at all after the fundraising event.

I reached for my cellphone from my pocket. I sat up immediately and pressed Hana’s numbers. I glanced at the clock telling me it was almost midnight. Shit- what if she’s already asleep? Too late though, she answered after a few ring.

“Hello?” Her voice a bit raspy. Shit- did I wake her up?

“Were you asleep?”

She grunted. Fuck- now I felt guilty. Even more guilty when I found her voice sounded sexy and alluring. “What do you want~” she asked in a voice so soft, I had to curse seeing how much it made my heart skip.

I cleared my throat. “Aren’t we going to study?”

She groaned. She didn’t answer immediately and by the sound of it, I imagined she was trying to sit up. Her voice sounded clearer now. “You said with your own mouth, if I remember correctly - who the fuck studies during summer holidays?” She quoted me. I pictured her glaring at me. I chuckled.

“I get it. But you do study, right?”

“Of course I do.” She replied, sounding almost affronted.

“Then there should be no problem of me joining you right?”

She went silent for a few moments before answering. “Okay but-“

“I’ll pick you up at 12 tomorrow.” I said and hung up before she could say anything. I smiled in triumph.

HANA’S POV

I sat myself on the floor, trying to calm myself down. I woke up extremely early today just because 1) I could barely sleep due to nervousness which I had no idea where it came from 2) Due to Jimin saying he’d pick me up which means that he’s taking me somewhere but I had no idea where and it’s making me anxious. Plus, I have been wrecking my brain trying to decide on my outfit. I have absolutely no idea where he’s taking me!

He’s probably just gonna take you to a library for a study session, a voice popped in my mind. I pouted at the thought.

Ah- screw it. Since it’s summer, anything would be acceptable I guess. So I decided to put a blue-white striped shirt paired with black skirt. Next, I hunted for my black sling bag. I was curling my hair at the end to give it a wavy look when the door bell rang. I jumped and almost burned myself with the hair straighteners.

With one last look in the mirror, I dashed to open the front door. There stood Park Jimin, looking godly as ever, wearing a casual striped blue shirt that almost looked similar to mine with khaki cargo short pants. His height towered me while his right arm propped against the door frame.

“Hi.” He said.

I blushed. Hana! Get your senses together! “Hello.” I replied in a small voice, looking down.

“You’re ready?”

I nodded. I locked my apartment and we both made our way to the elevators. While we were waiting, a group of girls joined to queue with us. I glanced at them and they were oggling Jimin off! I felt a pang of jealousy. I glared at them.

Jimin seemed oblivious to their whisperings, as always. The elevator arrived and the doors opened. Suddenly, I felt his firm hand placed at the small of my back, pushing me forward into the elevator. I gulped at the sensation of his small touch.

The girls’ expression fell a little as they saw his hand on my back. I expected him to drop his hand during the elevator ride but he didn’t. I tried hard not to fan my ego. The elevator came to a stop after a few seconds and we exited the room. He led me to his car, his sleek black Audi R8.

“Have you eaten?” He asked as soon as we both settled in.

I shook my head. He didn’t say anything in reply and just sped off.

I don’t have much experience of being Jimin’s passenger in his car but I really liked riding with him. I love that I get to stare at his handsome features in silence. He was very focused on driving.

My eyes fell on his lips. I unknowingly gulp as I long for its taste against mine again. I had missed his touch a lot. Ever since the ‘intimate incident’, I found myself thinking about him so often. Worse of all, I was craving for his touch again. I wondered what had kept him busy these few weeks.

“I’m sorry I had been busy.” He said abruptly without looking at me, as if he had been hearing my thoughts.

I didn’t know what to answer so I just remained silent.

“I was..” he trailed off.

I waited.

“My father wanted me to come to the office. Looking around.. getting to know the business.. and all.” He sighed.

Ahh.. I nodded. I guess that’s what had been keeping him busy. He was working at his father’s company. Must be so nice to have an internship set without having to graduate first, a promising job, a future. I, on the other hand had no idea what’s to come for me.

“What are you thinking?” He asked.

I looked up and he was staring straight at me. We were stopping at a traffic light.

“N-nothing.” I looked down.

“That’s too bad. I was hoping that you were thinking of me.” He said so casually but I almost choke at his words. My eyes went round as I looked at him. He was smirking. Jerk, I thought.

We soon arrived at a restaurant. I didn’t catch the name of it because Jimin led me quckly inside. We walked past several tables because the restaurant was full. Still, we managed to grab an empty table. The waitress came and handed us the menus.

My jaw practically dropped because I literally had no idea what I’m looking at. Traditional Italian Cuisine... Italian? He brought me to an Italian restaurant? I drew a breath. That’s it. I gave up. I put down the menu.

He looked up. “You have your choices already?”

“I’m not hungry.”

He gave me the are-you-kidding look. Then he proceeded to smoothly place an order for the both of us. I had no idea half of the names of the menu.

“Anyway,” he started, fingers tapping on the table. “Since you owe me.. the study session. I figured that it’s only fair that you let me decide what I want to do with that session.”

I frowned. “It doesn’t work that way.”

“Now it does.” He smiled a gritted smile at me.

I narrowed my eyes at him but figured that there was no use to argue with him.

“So what have you been doing during summer?”

I shrugged. “Part time jobs.”

“And?”

“What? That’s it. I took two so I was busy day and night.”

He frowned. “You’re still working with that guy?”

I rolled my eyes. “That guy has a name. And his name’s Jeon Jungkook.”

“Whatever.”

“You have a beef or something with him?” I frowned. He almost sounded as if he’s.. jealous. “He’s a great friend.”

“He may not be as nice as he appears to be.” He said.

I wanted to reply back but the waitress came and served our meal. I had no idea what the meals are but they smelled nice.

“Eat.” He said and started with his food.

“Bossy.” I glared at him. “And you’re just being judgemental.”

“If the turns out to be a jerk, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He said nonchalantly.

What is wrong with him seriously? It was almost as if he knew something. “Well you’re a bad boy and here I am, having lunch with you as if this is the most normal thing ever.”

He stopped eating mid-way. “So you also think of me as a bad guy?” He scoffed. “Just like everyone else.”

I froze. I felt my heart fell at his words. Was it possible that Park Jimin was conscious about what people think of him? I never took him as one that does. He seemed to not give a fuck about what anyone thinks of him.

“I’m-“ I lost words.

“Nevermind. Just continue eating.” He said and we just ate in silence after that.

I felt guilty. I was restless trying to figure out how to make up to him. Truthfully, sometimes Jimin can be a bit overbearing. He could be very playful, flirty, intimidating, yet sensitive at the same time. A simple conversation with him can turn sideways at any second. I don’t know if I can keep up.

“I don’t give a crap about what anyone else says about me. But I thought-“ he scoffed, as if the idea he had somewhat seemed laughable now.

“Jimin.” I called as I put down my cutleries. I’ve had enough. “Jimin look at me.” I paused as I waited for his eyes to meet mine. “I’m not afraid of you.”

He held my gaze steady. His lips curled slightly. “Nice knowing that.”

“I mean- I used to be. But after we spent some time together, I think you’re just- as normal as every other guy. Someone I can punch, smack or annoy the hell out of.”

His face finally broke into a smile. God- finally! I patted myself at the shoulder mentally. “I’d like to taste how strong your punch is.”

“Uh... you might regret saying that.” I raised a brow at him, as if challenging him.

“We’ll see.”

God his smile was addictive.

JIMIN’S POV

Once we were done eating, I took Hana somewhere else. It wasn’t that far because the drive was kind of short. She gasped when we were nearing the place.

“No!” She glanced at me as I reversed the car into a parking lot.

“What?” I said, already going out of the car.

Hana was beside me within seconds. Her face practically lit up at the sight in front of her. It looked so fucking adorable I almost wanted to lean in and plant a kiss on her lips.

“I’m-“ she started but appeared to be lost in words. “I can’t believe you’re taking me to an amusement park!” Suddenly, she jumped towards me and threw hands around me. I think my lungs just stopped working. I stilled but I knew my heartbeat was racing far too rapidly. She realized my stiffness so she quickly backed away.

“Sorry.” She muttered, feeling embarrassed of herself.

“That excited, huh?” I raised my brow at her.

“I am- yes! Oh my god let’s go!” She screamed and was so quick to make her way to the entrance.

There were a LOT of people since it was summer. The queue line was far too long. So I left Hana’s side and approached one of the staff behind the counter, whispered a few things and handed something under the table. This act is not to be encouraged, ladies and gentlemen. We were granted immediate entrance after that.

Hana gave me a judging look and I bet my ass that she was going to lecture me about it but for some reason decided not to. Probably because she was too excited to care.

She stared at the surrounding in awe. She then looked down on the map that was given to every visitor at the entrance. Her brow creased and I knew she was ranting, trying hard to decide on where to go but I couldn’t focus on her words.

It was as if everything was muted around us. My gaze only fixated towards her. I had never known it before but Kim Hana was really attractive. I mean, yes she’s pretty and I know most of the guys at college would agree too because she actually has a number of admirers but she was too busy to care about them.

Her dark brown hair was long, wavy at the end. Her skin was fair and she’s a good head shorter than me. Her eyes were light brown, almost hazel in the sunlight. Her eyes that seemed cold as ice sometimes, but can be twice as sweet around the people she’s comfortable with. Her nose is sharp and her lips.. her pink lips.. the one I’m dying to taste again.

I momentarily wondered what her ideal type was. Slowly, I raised my phone and switched to camera. I sneakily took a candid shot of her while she was still immersed in the map.

“What do you think?” She asked.

“H- huh? What?”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Screw it! Let’s just go!” She screamed then she took my hands and gripped my wrist as she dragged me towards the rollercoaster.

“I’m so excited!” She made tiny little jumps that made her look so adorable. She’s like a little baby. Unknowingly, my lips curled into a smile. I made a good choice of bringing her here.

And so for the next hour she dragged me here and there riding all sorts of things. I learnt that she was scared of heights but at the same time these rides thrilled her. I just shook my head at her.

“Do you want ice cream?” I asked as we passed by an ice cream stall.

Her eyes widened in excitement. “Really? Yes please!”

“What do you want?”

“I’ll have mint chocolate.” She grinned at me.

I scrunched my nose. “Who on earth likes mint chocolate flavour?”

“It’s good!”

I simply rolled my eyes. I turned towards the midde aged man and ordered vanilla and mint chocolate ice cream.

“Vanilla for you, sir.” The man said as he handed my ice cream.

“And chocolate for the girlfriend.” He said as he handed hers. I felt something tugged my heart as the man said girlfriend. I had no idea why.

“He’s not my boyfriend.” She clarified immediately. I felt a tiny bit of disappointment.

“Oh really? You look so well together that’s why. Pardon me.”

I had no idea why but I suddenly placed my hands around her arms, pulling her closer towards me. “Yeah, she’s actually my fiancee.” I said and quickly steered her away from the stall before she could say anything else.

I looked at her and saw her cheeks were pink.

“Yah- what are you saying~” she said softly as she pushed me away lightly.

“Trying to give you hints.” I smirked at her and she stilled, obviously stunned at my words. I like seeing her all flustered. She cleared her throat, trying to compose herself. We then stopped at one of the standing table to finish our ice cream.

“Why did you suddenly bring me here?” She asked suddenly in between her licking. I couldn’t look for long. Otherwise, I might have the wrong idea.

I shrugged. “I’ve always wanted to come here.. just never had the time or the person to go with.”

She nodded slowly. “Me too.”

I peeked at her underneath my lashes. She always seemed oblivious to my stare. As the wind blew her hair gently, I felt the familiar tug at my chest again. I was starting to become skeptical of it. I was sure it had something to do about my feelings towards Kim Hana. Am I really falling for her? Or am I just liking her presence around me?

HANA’S POV

We ate our ice cream in silence. The crowd was deafening, there were kids running around screaming everywhere, groups of families chaotically trying to take pictures but none of that seemed to bother me. All the noise felt as if it was tuned out and all there is was the comfortable silence with Jimin. I momentarily wondered if he felt it too. I can’t help but felt as if I was on a date with him.

Briefly I remembered his remark about my so-called crush towards him and him saying I would admit to it one day. Heck- if he really meant his words, trying to make me fall for him, I’m so ruined.

Suddenly he stood up. His hand no longer holding his ice cream. He must’ve already finished it. He held his hand out to me. “Let’s go.”

Huh? What? “Where?” I frowned at him, still hesitating to take his hand.

“Just come on.” He pulled my hands and I frantically tried to bite the last of my ice cream as he steered me through the crowd. After minutes of pushing ourself through the crowd, Jimin finally stopped. I looked up and gasped in horror.

“Oh no no- you are not bringing me to a haunted house.” I shook my head frantically.

“It’s fun!” He grinned at me. He tugged me forward and I desperately tried to pull away from me but his hand firmly clasped mine.

“No- Jimin no, you are not dragging me in there-“ I warned him.

It was of no use. Moments later, I found myself standing before a dark entrance with a slanted sign saying ‘Haunted House’. He dragged me inside and it was one of the worst moment in my life. There were literal human in there scaring us! I wish I could meet the person who first came up with the idea of scaring people so that I could strangle said person.

It was horrifying but somehow it felt less so because Jimin was there all the time to protect me. Half of me hated his ass for dragging me and fearlessly coursing through the maze inside but half of me also felt touched because he had never once let go of me or left me. Or perhaps he couldn’t let go of me because I clung to him so tightly, my grip of his hands so tight I thought it might went blue but I was too scared to think.

Nearing the exit, some Bloody Mary popped out suddenly and I screamed the hell out of my lungs. Jimin wasn’t surprised so he just casually walk past, hand gripping mine firmly. But I guess the ghost didn’t feel satisfied so she spooked me from behind.

I immediately clung onto Jimin’s back because I was so panicked. I thought I lost my voice from screaming. He was laughing as we exited the haunted house while I was a total wreck. I no longer cared how I look like. I glared at him, my hands still gripping tightly the shirt on his back.

He then stopped laughing. He turned around and grabbed my hand so I was no longer gripping his shirt while staring down at me.

My mind went blank as he gazed down at me fondly. His other hand then went over my face and he gently fixed my hair. I gulped. It was again as if there were only two of us in the universe.

“I’m sorry.” He said softly.

I went speechless for a moment. How could this Park Jimin be the same Park Jimin who is rude, obnoxious, insufferable and cocky? He was so gentle I’m starting to doubt his bad boy reputation. “It’s okay.” I replied.

Then he smiled. God- when I said his smile was addictive, I was not joking. “Though not so much. I had fun seeing your reaction.”

I smacked his arms and he laughed. “Don’t you dare bring me to a haunted house again!”

“Sure, sure.” He replied half-heartedly. I narrowed my eyes at him. “Okay, okay, let’s take one last ride okay? One that you’ll obviously like.”

My eyes lit up in excitement.

“Let’s ride the Vikings.” As soon as he said that, I screamed in excitement and immediately headed towards it, jumping every now and then. I laughed as he got stuck in the crowd. Eventually, he reached me. We queued for a while before it reached our turn.

“Ready?” He asked me as we sat ourselves at the seats. We were seating at the most end row because it was the most thrilling - I think.

I nodded enthusiastically, grinning wide at him. Must’ve been contagious because he grinned back at me.

The ride began to kick back and the tension built as everyone went quiet. “This... is... so... fun!!!!!” I screamed when the Vikings descended quickly after that.

Mid-ride, I felt raindrops on my hand. Oh- shit. It’s going to rain! At first, the rain was drizzling. As the Vikings started to slow down, it started to pour. I looked at Jimin in panic but he was just laughing at the situation.

“Jimin it’s not funny! We’re going to get drenched!” As soon as we were set on the ground, we quickly exited the ride. Most people were frantic trying to take shelter. The both of us took cover near the standing table with shades over it.

“We are soaked!” I looked at myself as my shirt hugged my curves. I looked at Jimin. He was eyeing me a bit differently than usual. His gaze was sensual, it made me hot despite the cold rain.

“I know.” He replied, his voice low. I noticed his wet shirt was stuck on his body too. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the trace of his chest and toned abs underneath. He stepped closer to me.

I gulped but didn’t break contact with his eye. It was as if I was inviting him closer to me.

He took another step forward and leaned closer, his face now only inches against mine. Although the proximity between us was damn close, he didn’t proceed to inch his face further which was driving me crazy. There was a silent competition between us, trying to see who would give in first.

The sound of the pouring rain was loud on our ears but the noise in my head was louder. In the end, I gave up. I crashed my lips against his first.

I could sense him smiling against the kiss. Jerk. But at that time, I couldn’t care less about my pride.

He deepened the kiss and I smiled. I guess we both lost against each other. Within seconds my hand was in his hair, his was firm on my waist. I broke the kiss to gasp for air but he was quick to attack my neck with wet kisses and I inevitably moaned.

His kisses and touches were arousing me. I arched my back, shoving my breast higher towards him. I was getting bold with my advances. It was probably the thrill and adrenaline rush from the rides that I became more daring in my actions. I pressed my hips against his and I could feel his hardened crotch against mine.

“Hana-“ he broke the kiss, gasping for air as his eyes searched mine.

I smirked at him and bit my lower lip seductively. My hands held his biceps as I started to grind myself against him. I could see his surprised expression at my brazen move.

“Fuck-“ he tilted his head back as pleasure coursed through him. My breath hitched from the excitement of grinding against this Godly creature named Park Jimin.

His hand went towards my breast and he grazed against them teasingly earning a moan from me. I want him to touch me..

“God- Hana stop- we’re in public.” He said although his own voice was cracking.

Shit! Realization hit me. I was so lost in the moment that I forgot where we were. I looked around. Thank God the rain was so heavy nobody could see anything.

“I’m sorry. I was just caught in the moment.”

“Are you sure it’s not because you have a crush on me?” He cocked one side of his eyebrow.

“Shut up!”

He laughed. “I don’t think the rain would be stopping soon. I’d say we just run through it. I’ll bring the car around.”

I was still blushing red thinking about my bold advances so I just quickly nodded.

“Here.” He extended his left hand at me and I sheepishly took it. “Ready? 3, 2, 1!”

And we were running in the heavy rain and to be completely honest, I was soaked down to the underwear. He left me by the ticket counter near the entrance so that I may take cover from the rain while he disappeared to retrieve his car.

He came by few minutes after that and I quickly got in the car. The water was dripping wet from my body the car seat was drenched within seconds. I looked at Jimin guiltily.

“What?” He asked without looking at me. How does he even know I was looking at him?

“Your car seat...”

He glanced for a brief second. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll send you the invoice after 3 working days.”

“Jimin!” I cried at him. I felt really guilty for wetting the seat especially because it was a freaking expensive car but he still had the nerve to joke about it.

“I told you don’t worry about it. It’ll dry.”

“Really? It won’t affect anything? Any stain after that or something?”

“No it doesn’t. Unless the rain was made of coffee or something.”

I heaved a sigh of relief. I didn’t dare to lean my back against the backrest as I tried to minimise as much casualty. The car then veered into an expensive looking residential apartment area. This is not my house area, I frowned.

The rain was still heavy here but Jimin drove straight into the lower ground parking lot and we were saved from the rain.

“Where is this?” I asked but didn’t earn any reply from him as he reversed the car into a parking lot.

“Come.” He simply said and exited the car. I did too.

He then led me into an elevator that looked too extravagant and exquisite for a parking lot. He pressed the button and the doors closed. He turned to look at me.

“What?”

His lips curled as if trying to stiffle a smile. “Nothing.”

I narrowed my eyes at him but decided not to press further. I was still curious on where he’s taking me. The elevator reached level 30 and Jimin exited so I just followed suit.

Could it be.. that he’s bringing me to his place? I wondered. At the same time, I was nervous as fuck. He turned right and then stopped in front of a door. He punched in his passcodes then gestured me to enter the house.

I was stunned by the view that greeted me. It was a luxurious apartment full of expensive furnitures and sophisticated interiors. I gulped as I take in the sight.

“This is my apartment.” He said as the doors closed behind us.

“Jimin..” My eyes widening by the second.

“Hmm?”

“You’re rich.” I said matter-of-factly.

“Uh... thanks?”

“No, I mean, you’re rich, rich.”

Link to Chapter 10

Posted on 200615 2:09PM

[nadiawrites14]

whagt the hell nadia has a creepypasta oc???

its october mf

wc: 3.6k

not very well written and a bit of a hot mess but still love this tall king <3

There was this kid at my school. 

There was a kid at my school, and I just really need to talk about him. I think it’s something I need to put out there. I am talking about it because anyone and everyone I talk to seems to never remember his name, or him in general, but I can’t stop thinking about his face.

I was never popular at school, and my brother always outshined me in that fact. He was a cheerleader, and I was his nerdy, unattractive sister. His friends were never friendly with me, and it wasn’t easy for me to make new ones, so I mostly kept to myself. Besides a few nice classmates, I was a bit of a loner, and this led me to Charlie.

Charlie Nguyen had always attended school in my city. I knew of him — we’d never actually talked, besides nearly 10 years of attending school together. Come to think of it, I don’t think anyone really talked to Charlie. He was always there, a lingering presence, and seemed to get on better with teachers than he did with other kids. Despite both of us being outcasts, we never interacted, right up until recently. He just tapped my shoulder in the hallway once, shyly staring at his feet and asking if I would like to eat lunch with him in the library. Despite his crooked posture and timidness, he towered over me. I was only as tall as his shoulder. I had nothing to lose from it, really — it was more preferable to spending lunch with Ernest and his friends, so I accepted cheerily which made him very happy. 

Talking to him, I was shocked at how much I missed out on by never bothering to strike up a conversation. He was funny, sweet, and a hell of a lot more intelligent than I had believed. I’d often seen my teachers slip back 70s and 60s to him, but in one of the library’s secluded corners, we discussed politics and art and existentialism. I don’t even know how we got into talking about philosophy and what defines the self, but by the time the bell rang, my lunch was not eaten and I was much more enlightened than I was before. It was like a lightning bolt. I told him I’d be glad to eat lunch with him tomorrow as well, and he seemed very appreciative of it. As I headed to my last class, I realized I forgot to ask for his number, but decided I’d ask the next day.

Something about Charlie was just so alluring. I didn’t know much about him at all, even after our daily lunches began — he was 17, from Fresno, and his mother passed when he was young. Half-Vietnamese, half-white, and he spoke broken Spanish and loved to draw cartoons in the margins of his notes. I found myself chatting with him through text past my bedtime, where we’d discuss our lives, our academics, our interests. One thing Charlie and I really bonded over was our shared interest in both Shakespeare and horror movies. He’d been enamored since he read Romeo and Juliet his freshman year, but Hamlet was his favorite. At the time, I was peeling through AP Literature with straight A’s and was much more concerned with Tolstoy and Plath and Camus, but his fascination with the bard was certainly something I could bond with him over.

I prefer the comedies, though. Midsummer’s Night, Much Ado, As You Like It. Charlie’s interest in the tragedies ranged from the general to the obsessive, where he would produce sermons and sermons of how much the words and writings spoke to him. Considering how much death was in Hamlet and Macbeth, his other favorite, it concerned me, but I passed it off as nothing unique. After all, he was also a fan of slashers and all things horror. He loved a good scare. Whenever I tried to coax him into visiting his house for a movie night or a sleepover, he’d defer, and I would glumly accept the sentence. Once I switched the proposed setting from his house to mine, he gladly accepted.

Ernest was a little bit less enthusiastic about my liaisons with Charlie. They had gotten into scuffles before. Ernest got a very stern slap on the wrist for pulling on Charlie’s crutch in the hall once, freshman year. I told him a week in advance, just so he knew to vacate the house the next Friday and allow me and what he so lovingly called ‘the creepy asshole’ to watch a movie together. Ernie huffed and puffed about it the whole week and it really began to get on my nerves. The entire week, he bugged me and demanded just what I saw in that freak. I excused it as brotherly overprotection, but as Friday grew closer, I started to realize that it was fear.

When he dropped me off that morning, I confronted him in the car. “Why are you so scared of Charlie?”

Ernie scoffed. “I’m not scared of Charlie.”

“You sound pretty paranoid when you’re dropping a curfew on me and telling me to not get too close or talk too much.”

“Well, mom and dad are out of the house, and I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Charlie is a freak. He’s... creepy. I can’t place my finger on what’s up with him. Esme, just tell me, have you ever left the room with a splitting headache when you’re with him? Has your phone ever started bugging out? Hm?”

I thought back. Well, a few lunches in, I did have such an awful headache I had to excuse myself from class to go try and throw my guts up in the bathroom. It wasn’t that, though, and it had subsided by the end of the school day. The back of my skull would sometimes pound and contract, but I didn’t think it was anything, reducing it to pollution or mold in the school. It always ebbed when I left the school. For my phone, it would get a little buggy. Just a little buggy, though! I had no reason to think it was Charlie’s fault! It’s not like we live in a world where that shit happens. He’s not some psychic, he’s a weird, lonely kid with trauma. That’s it. And I let Ernie know that by screaming an expletive and slamming the door on him, spending the rest of the school day with a headache tenfold worse than the one I had all those weeks ago. By lunchtime, my head was pounding so fiercely I almost slipped and fell down the stairs. 

Charlie noticed, and asked what was wrong, a worried look on his face. I asked if we could postpone, and went on to talk about how awful my headache was. He seemed very disappointed about it but nodded and accepted with a smile. I felt so guilty about it, but it was quickly absolved, because when I walked out of the library with him I must have blacked out in the hallway. Charlie and one of the other teachers brought me to the nurse’s office, where my mother brought me home as I moaned in the backseat.

The rest of the afternoon was a blur. A literal blur behind my crowded vision and the blood rushing in my ears, but I do remember awaking in the darkness of my room at around 1:00 AM. The red light on my digital clock said so. I awoke to the sound of something like water boiling, or when a witch’s brew bubbles inside of a movie or cartoon. It was bubbling, dripping, wet — but when I pulled back my curtain, everything appeared dry. No rain, not even any clouds. The stars were quite clear, due to the fact that it was a new moon. Despite that lingering sound of bubbling and popping, I was able to fall back asleep. I don’t know how long I slept, but when I came downstairs the next morning, my parents (and an over-concerned Ernie) were adamant that I stay home all weekend. I accepted that the next two days would be filled with boring movie binges and cups of hot soup and tea, and I plopped back under the covers. My head began to pound every time I checked my phone. I noticed Charlie had sent me a few texts, but I didn’t have the heart nor the energy to check what he had said. 

Sunday is when things actually began to get weird. The batteries in the remote for my TV had gone kaput, and I remembered that Ernie usually kept the same type in his desk for his old lamp. It was easier to walk across the hall to his room than down two flights of stairs into the basement. I knocked, and when there was no response, I entered. The lights were off. This was strange, because Ernie always loved to keep lights on. My parents constantly griped about seeing his outline in the window as late as 11, either from the strip LED lights that lined his room, the fairy lights, the candles, or the overhead light. I flipped the light switch and rubbed my eyes, as it was the most brightness I had seen in the past two days. Beginning to feel a tad nauseous, I took a seat at Ernie’s desk, trying to recall which drawer he kept his batteries in. As I searched, though, I noticed one drawer was shut from the inside, most likely from a heavyweight.

I should have just kept it shut. I shouldn’t have pressed. I should have gotten what I needed and left it alone, left my golden boy brother’s life completely alone. Then I could live knowing he didn’t have any dark secrets despite being a little bit of a bully and just a tad too standoffish. But, being the curious girl I was, I kept pushing until the drawer gave in.

Composition notebooks. The white smudges across the notebook covers had been filled in with dashes of pen, each one meticulously filled in. All five of the notebooks had this pattern. Blacked out, no name on the lines or any signage, otherwise normal in appearance. By that point, I should have known, but I kept going. I was once again shrouded in that same allure I felt around Charlie, the strange sense of being drawn in. When I opened the first notebook, I had to stop myself from making a sound. Every single page. Every single page in that notebook was filled with scratches in multicolored ballpoint pen, pleads and hypotheses and prayers. Drawings, maps, entries. The pages were thin from being worn down so deeply with the frantic pen marks, and many of the pages had been torn through from the intensity of the writing. My nausea grew and I began to feel my head pounding again. But I just couldn’t stop. Trying to process those frantic words written and dated and laden with tables and records and drawings was like trying to decipher hieroglyphics. Particularly, there was one symbol and one familiar figure that was retained throughout the notebook’s contents. An O with an X slashed through it. It reminded me of how I marked my bubbles on Scantrons, one line through, one line through, shade in the bubble. And the figure. The figure. A faceless man, a white oval of a face atop a suit and tie, and what looked to be tentacles pouring out from the sides. 

I was snapped out of my trance by the sound of footsteps rising up the stairs. I dumped the notebooks back in my drawer, besides the fourth one, which I tucked in the back of my shorts and underneath my sweatshirt. Ernie looked at me weirdly as I exited his room, but I offered a weak smile and held up the pack of batteries. He nodded, and I disappeared back into my room.

It fascinated me, and it scared me. When the oncoming headache and nauesa had left, I scanned over all his words and entries, observing each of his drawings and sentences and deconstructing like a true AP student should know how to do. I always assumed Ernie was going to parties when I heard his window open and shut or when he warned me he wouldn’t be home until late, not investigating supernatural entities in our affluent suburban town and measuring sound waves through apps he’d downloaded onto his phone. I hadn’t known Ernie was this brilliant. It took me about two hours of reading and rereading that singular notebook until I had connected the dots.

A few years ago, our cousin Ronnie disappeared. Ronnie and Ernie were best friends, close like brothers, and were inseparable at each and every family gathering. What I knew for certain about Ronnie is that he also had a particular fascination with ghost-hunting. He went out on frequent escapades with his girlfriend and her brother with some handy professional equipment in the most ‘supernatural’ bits of California. Most of my family excused it as a strange hobby that didn’t subtract from Ronnie’s successful business career, not until all three of the ghost-hunting squad disappeared without a trace while investigating the Lassen National Forest. No DNA, no bodies, no signs or directions or a reason were ever found. Even their car and all their expensive equipment, all of Ronnie’s research, had vanished into thin air. It seemed he had become one of those ghost stories he so adored to pursue. It didn’t hit me that hard, as I hadn’t known Ronnie all that well, but I hadn’t factored in how much of Ernie’s personality had changed since the disappearance. He had become more standoffish with his rivals, more competitive with his athletics, more jumpy and paranoid.

I should have known by the way he looked at Charlie. I assumed it was drama I had missed out on or the pure perils of high school hierarchies. But I had never noticed how hateful, how accusatory it really was. For some reason, I was certain that Ernie had it in his head that all of these things were connected. The Faceless Man, the disappearance of our beloved Ronnie Halaifinoua, and the outcast at my school who was seemingly responsible for bugged out phones and splitting headaches. It made no sense, but at the same time, it was like a missing piece to a puzzle that I simply had to snap into place. I hid the notebook in my schoolbag, and went back on Monday armed with a bottle of aspirin and comfortable clothes, ready to confront Charlie.

At lunch, I took two aspirin and handed him the notebook wordlessly. We sat in silence as he slowly peered over the pages, absorbing the information behind blank eyes without a single sound. When he reached the final page, he set it down and asked, “Did you write this?”

“Ernie did.”

Charlie sniggered at that and crossed his legs. “Well, he’s onto me, now, isn’t he?”

I stared at him, slack-jawed, feeling duped. “You’re— you’re—“

“What, supernatural? I’d like to think so,” he gave me a mellow look. “Ah… you may want to take another aspirin. Watch this.”

I popped one and I watched. He closed his eyes and snapped his fingers. The lights above us flickered off, then on, then off again, before the lights reignited. Charlie opened his eyes, suddenly breathless, and nodded. “I can’t… usually do it with that much control. It needs work.”

I slammed my hands down on the notebook, my mind barreling at 100 miles per hour with a smattering of questions in tow. “Everything. Tell me everything. Now.”

Charlie folded his hands and gestured to the aspirin. I shook my head and pulled the bottle to my side. He cleared his throat, steadied his gaze, and began. “I wouldn’t call myself willingly supernatural by any means. I did not ask to be this way. I have been tossed through more foster homes in 17 years than I can count on my hands, and I would give anything to give up this life. I hate living a life where I’m unable to control my abilities. I don’t want to hurt others, I don’t want to do this, but sometimes it gets out of hand. Lucky for you,” he said. “Some people will gain immunity once exposed to it long enough.”

“Gain immunity to what?”

“It has a lot of names depending on the universe you’re in. They mostly call it the slender sickness, but you can call it the static sickness, faceless-man-itis, whatever. You do you. Headaches, nausea, hallucinations. Malfunctioning electricity. Static. The whole thing.”

“So it is you.”

“Always has been. Well, not totally. Faceless Man? The Faceless Man, as your brother says, he may or may not have touched my mother with his hand, therefore touching me as well and handing me a degree of abilities that I drag with me. It’s my cross, Esme. I’ve been avoiding his gaze for the past 16 years and have always managed to just be out of his reach, but my powers are getting stronger and it’s all getting more and more out of hand. I needed to go to someone.”

“Does he have a name? An actual one.”

“Many names. The Operator, the Business Man, Chernobog. Apparently, now, the Faceless Man. And I guess he’s my parental figure now. I’ve been chilling with him more often. Crazy dude, gotta say,” Charlie said, putting his hands behind his head and crossing his legs. “Crazy, crazy things.”

I looked at my hands, unsure of what to feel. “Did he kill my cousin?”

Charlie’s face went slack. “He’s killed many, many, people, but I don’t have control over what he does.”

We sat in silence for a long moment until Charlie spoke again. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

My heart began to pound. “Ernie’s after you,” I said, running a hand through my hair and letting it fall over my face. “I think he might try and hurt you.”

“So… movie night is postponed indefinitely, then,” he replied.

I grinned sadly at him. “Don’t make me laugh, this is serious. I don’t want you to be harmed.”

His arms dropped to his side, and he smiled at me. He smiled in a way that drew me back in all over again. “Esme, be here tomorrow. I’ll see you then.”

He vanished back out into the hall. I chose not to follow him. But, for the first time, I had a surprising lack of a headache, and I don’t think it was because of the aspirin. 

That night, I slipped the notebook back into Ernie’s drawer. I think he may have figured it out, though, because when we bumped into each other on the stairs, we stared at each other for a good minute saying nothing. I believe it was my way of telling him which side I was on, because when he surrendered his gaze he slammed the door shut behind him and I heard rummaging in his room. I walked to school the next morning.

When I came to lunch the next day, Charlie was already waiting for me. He handed me a gift bag. “It’s a present,” he said. “For you.”

“What’s the occasion?”

“I’m moving. You might never see me again.”

“Oh, Charlie…”

“I say might. Might. There’s a chance we will meet again. Perhaps in another lifetime or in another universe. We can figure it out, alright? Alright.”

I shared my lunch with him, half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and we toasted to his new life with our milk cartons. When we left the library that day, our pinkies were interlocked. As he turned to go to class, I pulled him back, and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll miss you,” I said. 

He hugged me. It was like hugging one of those plasma balls where your hair stands up when you touch it. I had just stuck my fingers in a socket, but when I pulled back, all I could see were Charlie’s grateful, glowing eyes. “I’ll miss you too. Goodbye, Esme. Goodbye.”

My hair on my arms was still standing up and my cheeks were dark with color. I had a mark on my pinkie from where it touched his.

Since that day, I haven’t seen Charlie Nguyen. Ernie is still doing tests and taking entries though they become more inconsistent and confusing each and every day. I have an idea of who’s altering his readings. The present Charlie gave me, though, might hold some importance for me in the future. It’s a key without something to unlock, a piece of quartz, his copy of Shakespeare’s Hamlet with all his annotations in the margins, and a pair of earrings with ghosts on them. Quartz conducts electricity. I remember learning that in class. I always keep it in my pocket now. When I ask my teachers about him, they seem confused, as do the other students. Ernie and I have seemed to make a silent pact as to not discuss the matters of the supernatural. I think he’s looking for Charlie. He’s looking for anything that will bring him closer to the truth.

I feel farther to the truth than ever before, but I know I cannot be far from it. It’s a matter of time. Ernie has begun to have headaches lately.

[demoncryptspanties]

Time after Time

Part 2,

Masterlist, Part 1 

Ambrose Spellman x Reader

A/N Thank you so much for the love guys, a special thanks to @wakandamama for being such a babe, heres part 2, please enjoy x

He had left just before the period finished leaving you to go to your compulsory ritual class alone. You met Lilac outside her classroom as Rituals was only a half-hour class eager to tell her what had happened.

“You look like a bunny that’s just gotten a carrot what is it. Is the writing guy really good looking or something,” you couldn’t contain the smile you had when she mentioned him.

“His name is Ambrose. He’s the guy from Spain and he also sort of maybe asked me out.” You waited patiently for her to process but it didn’t take long. She stopped in the empty corridor, turning back to you and squealed louder than you expected in a way that also seemed very unlike her.

“You are joking right. The poem guy, the hot one that you kept talking about. That guy. The one with the fish. The fate one” She had a glint in her eye that could only spell trouble.

“Yes,” you were hesitant, head cocked slightly.

“Well I’m coming to your date when is it,” she said matter-of-factly.

“No, what you can’t do that. It’s actually now I should get going” You tried to walk away from her, but she pulled on your arm.

“Well I have skills and I will be there in 10 minutes where is it.”

“The library, I need to go Lilac.” You pulled away from her again. A bashful smile was on her face.

“Okay I’ll see you there,” She turned around in the other direction leaving you again confused and what seemed like late. You rushed off into the direction of the library taking a breath once outside of the large wooden doors. Adjusting your top, you pushed open the heavy door. And walked into the library walking through keeping an eye open for his figure.

You ended up at the back in a corner near a large fire, Ambrose had a book in his hand and seemed pretty engrossed in it.

“Hey, pretty sure I was asked to be here,” you laughed nervously and went to adjust your top again. His eyes lit up when he looked at you.

“Hey. You look good. I mean not any different than you did a couple of hours ago which was good. Why are we standing, the seats are really comfortable? Actual leather.” He spoke fast, seemingly just as nervous as you.

You took a seat opposite him, the fire illuminating both your faces as the lamps seemed to be scarce in this part of the room. “Any particular reason you ran off after class Ambrose”

“Well I’m not a student and Daniel isn’t exactly my biggest fan, I didn’t want to stay and get stuck in a conversation with him,” He chuckled lightly reflecting on a memory before turning back to you, “so. How are you settling in? How is the weather?”

“How is the weather seems to be the standard question. It’s cold and wet but nothing I can’t get used to. What brings you back here?”

“Suggestion from my uncle.” He didn’t expand on the matter and sort of shut-in on himself. He took a deep sigh and then pointed towards the fire “Well you’ve seen what I can do with fish in the river, how about fire.”

You nodded at him and he flicked his wrist in a subtle movement. Muttering something you couldn’t quite catch, the fire seemed to settle down and moulded into the forms of a man and woman. They caressed each other gently and then danced in a slow and calm sequence.

“I have a better idea if you don’t mind standing up.” He smiled at you and obliged, putting your hands out which he took, waiting for you to do something. You walked over to the nearest surface and muttered the chant you had learnt as a child. You reached out into the small void you created and pulled the vinyl player which had been a parting gift from your sister and placed it on the desk in front of you. You set up the record and let it play, the soft tune of a piano filling the air.

He held out his hand the soft smile still present on his face, but his eyebrows were raised in a questioning manner. “This is a little cliché for a first date don’t you think, although I’m not complaining” He spun you around and the two of you ended up close enough that the rest of the room dissipated.

“Yeah, I read it in a book once it seemed like something cute to do,” you giggled slightly the two of you settling into a rhythm and soft chatter. It was only until both sides of the disks had finished that you two finally separated from the soft swaying and occasional spins.

“It’s getting late you should probably go,” he stepped back from you, hands still in your hands.

“Yeah, I should. I hope we do this again.” You picked up your bag and turned to leave, putting the vinyl back through the void and onto your desk at home.

“I think, in class, for the sake of bias that we should keep this professional. But we will do this again.”

“I agree. I suppose this was fate right” you turned on your heel and took a step towards him but stopped.

He huffed, contemplating something before calling out to you, “hey, I know this is weird, you’ve literally only met me twice, but can I kiss you?”

Instead of answering you took a couple of steps towards him giving him a soft kiss before walking away, or more accurately lightly skipping. You opened the large door and stepped out, giving him a quick wave before letting it close, more softly than expected behind you. It was not two steps before you heard a call that made you jump.

“So, you kissed him, that’s cute. Honestly, your date was like something out of some romance book.” Lilac settled next to you, her steps matching yours.

“By the devil, I swear I will hex you next time you do that. How did you know, were you in there, I didn’t see you?”

“I told you I have skills. Well anyways so are you going to see him again. I mean you will in a couple of days but in a different way.” She wiggled her eyebrows at you and you both giggled.

“It’s not like you to seem so interested but yes if I can help it.” The two of you walked home together, you detailing any bits she missed and then her settling into another story of how she tormented that boy. You went to sleep that night with a smile on your face and very ready for your next class.

The next time you two met that wasn’t in class was purely by chance or fate depending on what you believed. Since you both decided to keep your relationship professional inside class you had been meaning to meet up for another date for two weeks now. He seemed to pay less attention to you in class it was a little awkward.

You were at the baker's a place you found yourself at often, drawn to the smell of fresh bread. The woman who ran it had two small children who you liked to see. In this particular moment, you had brought them a chalkboard each and attempted to teach them some French. Their mother was watching your effort with a soft smile and kind eyes.

Ambrose had walked in, in the middle of you reciting the numbers from one to ten. Your eyes connected and his eyes lit up, “Well sweetheart I didn’t expect to see you at the baker's.

“Why is that so unbelievable. I thought it was fate.” You smiled up at him forgetting where you were for a moment.

He chuckled lightly his eyes beaming. “I’m sorry,” his words seemed to confuse you. You cocked your head to say something, but he cut you off. “I'm sorry I've been so awkward in class and that I haven’t made an effort to talk to you outside of it.

You scoffed lightly before replying, “there isn’t a need to apologise. Conversations take to people I didn’t make an effort either.”

“You did I could see it. You wanted to say something, but I guessed you thought it was too awkward or something. I just wasn’t supposed to be here for long and I'm nervous. I don’t want to mess up anything. I’m not sure what I'll do so bad after 1 date but you...intrigue me a lot. I want to see where this goes.” He moved to lean on the counter the both of you still too engrossed in each other to acknowledge notice the women usher her children into the back.

“Well, you can make it up to me now. I have some bread and cheese we can eat lunch somewhere. Closer to the centre though, I don’t like being this close to human territory.” Although your eyes held worry, his held a pain you could only just make out.

“Yes, I think that’s best. I know it’s Friday afternoon but I’m sure you have a curfew right. For safety. Even though the night is our time others within the community aren’t as nice here.” His previous frown was still there although the emotion that his eyes held changed to something you couldn’t recognise.

You shuffled a little, feeling uncomfortable for some reason. Lily who owned the bakery stood by the counter studying your conversation. She also had a similar frown on her face. “Midnight but I want to get back at least an hour before then if we can.” You said.

“That’s fine. Are we leaving or what?” The familiar smile returned to his face, he offered you his arm which you gladly took. You gave Lily a soft smile and wave as you left the bakery walking out into the surprisingly sunny streets of England.

“So, Ambrose where are we going?” You gave him a small smile and interlinked your hands. He gladly held on tighter a similar smile present on his face.

“Well pumpkin, there’s the grounds around the school. There’s a little nook in the middle of the forest that not many people know about. I actually found it during Lupercalia when I schooled here.” He looked away from you, seemingly pondering on a memory.

“I don’t know whether I should ask about Pumpkin or Lupercalia.” You had a teasing smirk on your face, he tried to hide his smile.

“That is pumpkin bread that you have right. Or are my eyes deceiving me.” He turned a corner sharply, practically dragging you into the side street.

“It is.” You offered no protest over the nickname and settled into a steady pace with him again.

“Well, have you never participated in Lupercalia?” there was a teasing smirk on his face.

“Yes, but it was more because of pressure than anything else. It was fun. I haven’t participated since though.” A memory entered your mind. Not one you wanted to forget but not one you came across in fondness either.

The two of you walked some more, not saying too much to each other but the silence was comfortable and natural. He led you to the grounds and then the woods behind it. The school seemed to get further away, and the building became covered by the dense trees of the forest. After what seemed like 20 minutes of walking and a moment of extremely confused Ambrose you came across a small clearing. About large enough for a large picnic, beside a small river.

The trees around were still dense but it seemed to be in just the right place to catch the sun or moon at any time of day. It was bright and happy. Something unexpected for a place so close to the school for the gifted.

Ambrose gestured for you to sit which you did, close enough to the river to be able to put a hand in it. He took a seat directly opposite you. You used your cloak to sit on whereas he laid his in front of you taking the bread and cheese and laying it on top.

“You brought enough bread and cheese for at least 5 people. What is the occasion? Am I stealing someone’s food?” He chuckled lightly looking at you intently.

“I just really like bread and cheese. Also, it’s my sister’s anniversary so we’ll celebrate later over a mirror.” You looked away into the sky. It was bluer than you remember it being.

“Oh well congratulations to her, I guess. I didn’t bring any wine but a toast. With a slice of cheese. To the anniversary of your sister’s marriage…?”

“Excommunication but that works too.” He gave you a look that you couldn’t decipher but seemed to shake off the emotion and chewed on the pumpkin bread.

“Shall I show you something interesting.” You nodded at him and raised an eyebrow. He turned his head to the river, your eyes following him and set out a hand. He whispered something but you weren’t paying attention because the water splashed on you slightly and then you saw what looked like a fish do a small flip. It was glowing much like the ones on the bridge, but these were smaller, the patterns on them more intricate.

“It reminds me of moon magic,” you said a small smile on your face.

“Yeah, that was the objective. It works a lot better at night for that exact reason.”

“You’ll have to show me again at night then.” The two of you settled into the usual chatter from then on. You found out that his parents died when he was young, but he stayed with his two aunts. He was never that close with his uncle who was the high priest of his coven. He found out that Angelica had been excommunicated a year before you were due to come here and a little about Jude and his proposal. The strained relationship with parental figures seemed to be a running trend for both of you.

He showed you the fish after the moon had come out, keeping an eye on his watch to make sure the two of you didn’t stay out too late. When it came time for the two of you to go, he held you tightly to him asking you to put up your hood once you got back to the town. The minute you exited the school grounds the sky seemed to get darker than before and the overall atmosphere made you uncomfortable. It was not yet 10 pm and yet you had wished you left earlier.

Luckily the journey back to the house was uneventful, the familiar gravel steps offering comfort as soon as you stepped on them. He seemed to feel that as well. The two of you stood under at the porch, both contemplating what the proper goodbye should be. He made the decision, leaning in and kissing you softly before deepening the kiss seemingly out of instinct. You stepped away from him giving him another quick peck and a wink before walking inside the house.

The moment you closed the door you were faced with an excited looking Lilac. The teasing look on her face, had you trying to hide a smile. She pulled your arm, ushering you further not the house. You caught a look at Clara who was glaring pretty intensely at you before Lilac dragged you up to your room. Selene was wrapped around the bannister, but you scooped her up with you, wrapping herself around your wrist.

Lilac sat on the floor pulling you down with her. She gave you an inviting look and gestured with her hand. “Okay, can you spill, because I saw him outside.”

“Okay, so I saw him in the bakery when I was buying the bread and cheese, which a bought way too much, you should eat some, and he asked to go out for a picnic of sorts.” She gestured for you to continue and you did. Detailing the entire day, leaving out the unsettling feeling you had walking through the town.

Your conversation with your sister was about the same. You drank a small amount of wine and toasted with the bread and cheese. The best part of the conversation by far was you detailing your relationship with Ambrose. She seemed more excited than you anticipated asking for every detail and asking a large number of questions. You went to sleep exhausted but happy, excited for the next time you could see him.

The next two months of you two was interesting. You made it a tradition for every Friday and usually ended up spending at least one of the weekend days and any spare time between your classes together. Clara was still cold towards you, despite the fact that nothing had happened it seemed like the more Ambrose seemed to be around the more she began to hate you. She never explicitly said anything to anyone but the way she avoided you like the plague seemed to be enough.

You and Lilac had gotten even closer if you weren’t with Ambrose it was likely that you would be with Lilac. She had not set the boy she didn’t like on fire again and seemed to mellow out a little, still mischievous but never doing anything explicitly dangerous. You and your father spoke every week along with your sister, but you stayed clear of your mother. Even you and Jude had a small conversation, a slightly awkward conversation but a good one, nonetheless.

The time for Ambrose to leave had come and although it was clear to everyone that he wasn’t leaving, the two of you had skirted around talking about it until now. The two of you were sitting in your room, playing a game of cards. You were winning which was rather unusual in terms of this particular game, but he was distracted. You threw your cards down forcing him to look at you with a confused expression. “You’re losing. What’s wrong.”

“Nothing at all, can we just play.” He put down a card but on look at you made him pick it up again and sigh deeply. He put down his cards and turned to face you. “I’m supposed to be leaving. I wasn’t supposed to be here for longer. My uncle wants me back at the coven but of course, you’re here. They offered me a job at the school too which is great so now I have a place to work and a reason for my uncle to stay.”

You cocked your head to the side a little confused, “So what’s the issue?”

“Well. I like you, a lot. Technically I am courting you, but you have a proposal lined up and my uncle really wants me to go back.” He wasn’t able to meet your eye.

“I’ll make sure the proposal doesn’t happen. I’ll talk to him today; I didn’t want to marry him anyway so that’s fine. This was bound to happen anyway, better sooner than later.” You hand movements increased as you spoke, Selene rested on your thigh in a comforting gesture.

“Is that what you want though. We’ve been together for two months, that’s hardly a long time and with the way your family seem to be I think if you refuse the proposal it would be more difficult for you. They could excommunicate you.” You started to fidget, Selene snuggling closer to you.

“They probably will. You want to know if what we have is enough to throw that away right.”

“You won’t get another chance at a proposal Y/N. Me staying here is also a large risk for me. It could hurt how high in the coven I’ll be when I go back. That and the fact that we aren’t part of the same coven. Two months is a short time to have to make a big decision like that. You may not even be able to go back to your coven.” He finally looked at you straight in the eye, his eyes held a deep worry but whether that was for you or him you weren’t sure.

“Do you want to break up. Is that what you want?” Your voice cracked slightly, almost unnoticeably.

“No, no I don’t. I want to do what’s best for you. I think I love you.” You froze at that moment. He seemed to as well, unable to comprehend what he just said. The two of you looked at each other without saying anything for a good minute before you spoke up.

“You’re best for me. I love you too. I don’t want the proposal; I don’t want the coven. I get that two months is a really short time, but I want us and I’m willing to make that decision. I’ll tell Jude today.”

He seemed relieved; the card game forgotten. He took your face in his hands and kissed you gently. He then stood to leave, saying he had to sort a few things out and would see you the next day. He left with a simple peck and an “I love you pumpkin,” something that made you smile the rest of the evening.

It took a lot of courage to call Jude, you contemplating whether you should do this now or another day but you felt it was better to get it over with. He answered quickly like he could sense something coming. There was a warm smile on his face which made you feel worse than you already did.

“Hello Y/N.” Although your face must have been telling that something was wrong, he didn’t seem to see that, the warm smile still present on his face.

“Hello. As much as I want to engage in pleasantries can we talk.” His face dropped slightly but it seemed more out of reaction to your bluntness rather than of hurt.

“Yes of course. What’s wrong?”

“We can’t get married. I met a guy, but that isn’t it at all, it’s more of I don’t feel that way about you and I can’t marry someone I don’t like in that way. I just can’t do it.” His face didn’t seem to drop at all, him patiently waiting for you to stop rambling.

“Okay. In all honesty, I feel the same way. I didn’t even know you knew about the proposal but it's fine. Since I’m not the high priest of the coven it's likely you’ll be excommunicated for whatever reason your mother can make up but know that as soon as I take over, you’ll be free to come back, of course.” You raised your eyebrows in slight surprise.

“That’s fine. Thank you. Not to be rude because I am grateful, but you seemed very unsurprised and that answer seemed very thought out.”

He laughed lightly before answering you, “Well, I was talking to your sister since we are still good friends and she told me about the famous Ambrose. Also, I anticipated that you would say no. Out of all the options I had, you were the best, but I don’t see you in a romantic fashion.” You let out a relieved chuckle of your own and changed the subject to your sister and your parents. You found out that your parents were likely to get divorced, but appearances had meant that your mother was reluctant to let that happen.

The next couple of weeks seemed to go without a hitch, Ambrose sorted things out at home and was able to stay until you finished your course and the two of you seemed to be doing well. Lilac was eager to make a large amount of jokes once you told her quickly making you playfully annoyed. Clara cut off all contact from you together, making sure to say something snarky whenever the two of you had to interact.

The biggest change after everyone found out was Tom. He seemed to open up more for some reason, the teasing that you got from Lilac giving him a way to join in and your little circle became a little bigger. Once out of his shell you found out that you and Tom had a lot in common. His familiar was also a snake called Medusa, but they seemed to be as shy as each other so you rarely saw her. You made sure to spend time with him as often as possible as well as with Lilac together.

Things were good until it was time for a talk with your mother. She didn’t answer leaving your dad to talk to you which you did not mind. You were told from him even though you were expecting it that you had been excommunicated. Your parents had also decided to divorce, and your mother happened to be giving you the silent treatment. Even though it should have, the situation didn’t bother you at all. If anything, you felt a freedom that you had not before. There was no one to impress and your decisions could be made for you and you alone. It was bliss.

[fandima-moved-read-pinned]

Aven, all the numbers :)

1- Animated character that was your gay awakening? : I mean my gay awakening was an irl person so I don't know? I can't think of any rn 

2- Grilled cheese or PB&J? : Grilled cheese bc PB&J is gross just peanut butter and jelly are both good on their own but I don't like the way they taste combined 

3- What show/YouTube video(s) do you put on in the background when you when you don’t have anything to watch but you want something on? : Baking videos! Particularly the ones that have no voicover or any voice and you have to turn on the subtitles to know what ingredients they're using bc the words on the screen are in ankther language 

4- Your go-to bar order, if you drink? : chocolate milkshake no alcohol (the only time I've been to a bar that's what I ordered) 

5- What’s your favorite pair of shoes that you own? : My black tennis shoes, but they're really old and worn and I need new ones but I've been telling my parents for god knows how long and they don't give a shit 

6- Top three cuisines? : pfft cuisines I love that word its funny to me just I can't say it out loud without smiling or laughing anyway I guess shrimp fettuccine alfredo, medium rare steak, and fuggin uhhhhhh Danny Kids Cuisines

7- What was your first word as a child (that wasn’t a variation of “Mom” or “Dad”)?: I have no clue, I think my dad once said it was car or cat but they couldn't tell which 

8- What’s a job that you’ve had that people might be surprised to find out you’ve had?: I've never had a job really, I mean I volunteered at the library one summer but I think that's it 

9- Look up. What’s directly across from you? : A large bowl of pancake batter (I'm making pancakes rn) 

10- Do you own any signed books/memorabilia in general?: I've got an Air Force flag signed by the Air Force basketball team from that one time we went to a game. I've also got a really old shirt with the sifnirure of a country singer who I've never heard of (I don't think she made it big) 

11- Preferred way to spend a rainy day? : Drawing. Raining tends to make me want to draw more! Also watching the Great British Baking Show 

12- What do you get on your bagels? What WOULD you get if you had access to anything you wanted?: normally I don't eat bagels. But Nutella and almonds and bananas on a plain bagel is really good! Also does it mean like anything I want on a bagel? Because I will order $1M on a bagel and only eat the bagel and bam I'm rich it said ANYTHING so heck yeah it never said it has to be food 

13- Brunch or midnight snacks?: Ooh brunch! I love brunch. I've never had a midnight snack tho so I can't really say for sure. 

14- Favorite mug you own: my Coffee Mug 

Also say hi to Emrys he's helping me make dinner 

15- What coffee drink would you describe yourself as? : 3% coffee 96% sugar 1% baked beans 

16- Pick a song lyric to describe your current mood (and drop the name and artist!): "I've grown tired of this body" Body by Mother Mother 

17- Fruity or herbal teas? : Fruity I guess? I'm not a big fan of tea, but I've had this watermelon mint tea and added ice and a bunch of sugar and it was pretty good 

18- What’s that one TV show that you’re a little bit embarrassed to watch but you still like nonetheless?:.... Sonic X (it was part of my childhood and I just really like the theme and I like it in general don't judge pls) 

19- That book you were forced to read for class but actually ended up enjoying?: It wasn't a book we read as a glass but I think it was called the dragonfly something I dunno it was a while ago but it was really interesting 

20- Do you match your socks? Nope 

21- Have you ever been horseback riding?: I don't think so? 

22- What was your “phase” when you were younger? (i.e., Mythology Nerd, Horse Girl, Space Geek, etc)- creepypasta everything. Every single thing. 

23- Have you ever been to jail?: nope

24- What’s your opinion on Lazy Susan’s (the spinning tray in the middle of tables)?: I don't have an opinion on them? Is there Lazy Susan discourse I don't know about 

25- Puzzles?: no hate them they can burn 

26- You can only have one juice for the rest of your life, what is it?: Apple juice I suppose? I don't drink much juice (I only really drink water, a little bit of coffee, and milk) 

27- What section do you immediately head for when you walk into a bookstore?: Fiction/Fantasy 

28- What’s one thing you’re trying to learn/relearn in your downtime right now?: I'm trying to start sewing again! 

29- Who’s your go-to musical artist when you’re feeling upbeat?: none, I only listen to music at night and I'm not really upbeat then. 

30- Where could someone find you in a museum?: the exit (sorry I've never really enjoyed myself at museums) 

31- What’s that one outfit in your closet you never get the chance to wear but want to?: None. I don't likem my clothes. All my dresses are too small minus like one. 

32- Rainbows, stars, or sunset colored clouds?: Stars! I rarely get to see them. 

33- If you could own any non-traditional pet (dogs, cats, fish, rodents, etc), what would it be?: Are ferrets rodents? I'd like a ferret I'd name it Malfoy

34- Do you have more art on your walls or more photographs?: Art for sure. I have no photographs on my walls, only my own paintings. 

35- You have to get one meme tattooed on your body, what meme is it and where does it go?: "Yeet" in cursive on my shoulder is area place thing 

36- Pick a superhero sidekick to hang out with: none sorry I don't like superheros 

36- Lakes, rivers, or oceans?: Oceans!!!!!!!!! They're so pretty and blue and filled with fish and pretty and fun to swim in and salty and cold and nice and amazing I love the ocean I miss it 

38- Favorite mid-2000s song: I'm not sure, I don't keep track of when songs were released ;-;

39- How do you dress when you’re home alone?: Just my normal clothes. T-shirt and leggings or shorts. 

40- Where do you sit in the living room (we all have a preferred spot, and you know it)?: The Corner Spot. My my brother keeps stealing it. 

41- Knives or swords?: Knives bc you can cut bread with them 

42- A song you didn’t think you’d enjoy but ended up loving:  Body by Mother Mother. Also Burning Pile. 

43- Pick an old-school Disney Channel Original Movie: None we didn't have Djnsye when I was a kid 

44- Are you a “Quote that relates to the photos” caption-er, an “explanation of where I took the photos” caption-er, or a no caption kinda person when you post pictures online?: Quote that relates to the photos? 

44- Name a classic Vine: Why you got a twelve car garage when you only got FIFTEEN CATS CUZ WE ALL JUST WANNA BE BIG RJCJSTARS 

46- What’s the freezer food that you stock up on when you go to the grocery store?: I don't go to the store but probably ice cream 

47- How do you top your ice cream?: More Ice Cream 

48- Do you like Jello?: it's okay it's a bit odd tho 

49- What’s something that you don’t have a picture of that you wish you did?: the time I slapped a guy in the face multiple times 

50- How are you at climbing trees?: I'm pretty good at it, I climbed trees a lot as a kid and I climbed one a few weeks ago and was like "woah I'm still good at this?" 

[daddiejoon]

@chanchao-kha

Hi love!🌹 Can I have a personality ship with BTS, Monsta X and Ateez, please?

I'm an ENFJ, the eldest of 4, making me reliable and a good leader. Very caring, supportive (#1 fan), affectionate, kind, strong both physically and mentally. Really nice a friendly to everyone and polite around adults. I get competitive and fearless sometimes. I'm a good listener so as a good adviser. I work hard, play hard! I do things fast, walk fast, work fast, speak fast but I always think through it before act. When I work with others, I’m the idea gatherer. If there’s a problem, they tend to let me deal with it. I’m pretty agreeable and good with comforting. My way is to encouraging people, not to use harsh words or yell. I don’t think of giving up on what I do and my love ones. I love sharing my love with my family and people I care. I just love, enjoy doing thoughtful things for others and always wish them well. I like to take things slow when it comes to love. If I love, they will have all of me and my support. My friends say I have the power to make people happy and think in a positive way. I adore animals, children (//they make me super happy! 😍 I really enjoy being around them.), LOVE cuddling, skinship, coffee and books. In my spare time, I dance, work-out, as well as reading, watching movie (horror movies are my fav) and cooking. I really like stars gazing and going for a walk at night. Listening to music is things. I hate heat and worst with directions. I'm always there for my sibling. Smile's always on my face and I hope everyone can smile, too.

Thank you so much for your time, effort and kindness!! Please take your time with my ship if you’re too busy, I understand🌹 Stay safe and healthy :) I hope you have a lovely day filled with smiles, a lot of love and support~❤️❤️❤️

☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼

BTS

for bts, i ship you with Namjoon! I think you'd be the perfect partner for our leader for a couple of reasons! number one, he’d love that he could confide in you and go to your for advice. Since he’s in charge of 6 other boys all the time, having to do most of the leg work for the groups image, having someone to lean on at the end of the day would be a blessing for him. second, since we know Joon get’s super stressed, your calming presence would be a relief to him. 

I feel like overall you two would be a good match because while you are similar, you’re also your own people. Coffee dates in libraries would be a must for you both and just cute domesticity.

Monsta X-

I ship you with Shownu! You two would have little game-offs where you competed to see who was better at whatever it was you were doing! He’d also appreciate having someone to lean on as a leader and he'd love to be able show a childish side.

ateez-

I ship you with San! I think his playful personality would be a nice contrast to your personality, but there’s still enough serious moments. Cuddling would be a constant in your lifestyle and you can bet he’d want to dance battle you every night.

☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼

hope this is up to your standards~ thank you for requesting and for your patience

[redrebecca]

Reading Bug

One trip to the bookstore and Shawn catches the reading bug

Warning(s): Fluff fluff and more fluff

A/N: I’ve literally spent my whole day watching Brooklyn 99 instead of going out with my friends and i couldn’t be happier lmao. Anyway feedback is appreciated and have a nice day!

Words: 1.7k

*

Initially you thought it would be a good idea to take Shawn to the bookstore. It seemed romantic and cute when you imagined it in your head. But instead, only 5 minutes in, Shawn was slumped at one of the couches by the front door, scrolling through twitter, completely oblivious to all of the dirty looks he was getting off the usual visitors for using his phone in a library.

You, however, noticed. At first you tried to ignore it, after all he had told you several times he wasn’t a ‘huge fan of reading’ claiming that after a few pages the words start to mould into one endless sentence that made absolutely no sense. But after a few minutes you glanced from the blurb you were reading to where he was, you sighed as you saw that he was still in the same position, biting his thumb nail as he looked briefly at what fan pages had uploaded.

Slotting the book you had been occupied with earlier back in the correct section, you walked over to Shawn and folded your arms across your chest when you stopped in front of him.  

He looked up when he felt someone’s presence. Shawn’s face broke into a grin when he the person was you, however his smile faltered when he noticed your stance.

“What’s wrong honey?” He questioned, utterly confused because anywhere with books was your happy place but at that moment you didn’t look particularly pleased.

You slid his phone out of his grasp and put it into the pocket in your jeans. “You,” you said booping his nose “need to get off your phone. Now c’mon” you said, turning on your heels and walking to your previous position, pleased with yourself as you heard him follow you in between the tall shelves. You heard him mutter “Yes mum”.

You quickly got back into the rhythm that you were in previously. See a book, read the blurb, put it back or keep it, repeat. You were well aware that Shawn was trailing after you down the rows like a lost puppy, he totally ignored the shelves full of novels and instead resorted to scuffing the sole of his boot on the carpet and playing with the strings of his hoodie.

A small ping came from your back pocket. You continued to scan the shelf but this finally got Shawn’s attention, his eyes trained on his phone as he began to walk towards you. However he was stopped in his tracks when you grabbed his wrist, a guilty look washed over his facial features.

“Don’t you dare” you warned before returning to scanning the shelves for a book your best friend had recommended earlier in the week.

You heard him sigh, “But babe I’m bored” he whined childishly, wrapping his arms around you and putting his face into the crook of your neck, inhaling your scent. You turned around in his hold. He groaned again as he was forced to remove his head from your neck, glaring at you playfully.

“Can we go ho-“ he whined even louder this time, causing you to clamp a hand over his mouth. When you were positive he had stopped speaking you removed it

“Shh, quieten down a little yeh?” you said, looking around nervously to see if anyone was sending you disapproving glares- thankfully no one was. You returned to look at Shawn just in time to see him mime zipping his lips and throwing away the key. You shook your head at his antics, your lips tugged up slightly which didn’t go unnoticed by Shawn.

“Why don’t you have a look around? Who knows you might even find a book you like” You jokingly gasped, covering your mouth with your hands dramatically. He rolled his eyes at your mocking behaviour, the smile still graced his face despite his best efforts.

“Fine” he murmured, using his hands to remove yours from in front of your lips so he could lean down and press a quick kiss to them before he wandered off, deeper into the library.

You were really surprised when he hadn’t returned in 10 minutes, you were shocked by 20 and were wondering if he had sneaked out and drove home when the clock indicated it had been 30 whole minutes. But of course you couldn’t phone or text him. The pressure of the piece of metal in your jeans reminded you that he wouldn’t pick up. So you continued to search the shelves.

You gasped slightly as you recognized the name on one of the books spines. You thought back to how much your friend gushed about the characters and well-written storyline of this one. Reaching up to slide the book from off the shelf. You squealed when you felt a hand grab yours and tug lightly.

“Oh my god I didn’t mean to scare you, I’m so sorry honey” rambled a familiar Canadian accent. You clutched at your chest to try and control your breathing. When you regained at least some control over your respiration, you looked back through the gap to meet the concerned eyes of your boyfriend.

“Please don’t ever do that again” You breathed, he nodded quickly at your request. “What were you gonna say?”

“Oh yeh! So I” he stopped mid-sentence making you raise your eyebrows, prompting him to continue. “Should I come to you because this,” he gestured to the small gap in which you were communicating through “Seems a little bit silly” You chuckled when you realized just how strange you would look if someone walked past, as it would appear as though you were having a conversation to the book filled shelves.

“Yeh, come here” you giggled. If you weren’t in a library you would’ve laughed loudly at the sight of Shawn speed walking around the corner and nearly knocking a display over whilst doing so. When he approached your eyes were drawn down to the large pile of books in his hands. He noticed how your gaze was entirely focused on what he was carrying.

“Babe look,” he said excitedly, rushing straight past you to place the books on a table. He grasped the one on the top of the pile pushing it towards you so you had no other option but to take it in your hands. “This one sounds so good and the reviews are all 5 star! And this one,” the second book from the pile was also thrust into your grip “was recommended to me by one of the volunteers. She said that because I love Harry Potter I would really like this.” He turned back to his pile and plucked the next book off the top, his eyes visibly brightened when he saw which one it was “Oooh and this one is about a musician who starts on the internet, just like I did! Isn’t that amazing?” You nodded, so shocked at his sudden interest in books that you couldn’t fathom a response to what he was saying.

Slowly but surely the books he piled on top of the ones you were holding grew and grew until you had to use your forehead to balance the ones at the top. When he finished explaining what the blurb hinted at about the plot, you managed to speak.

“Shawn sweetie, can you take some books off the pile I can’t see” came your muffled voice behind the huge stack you were supporting with your arms.

“Oh yeh, wow there’s a lot” he muttered, taking them from your hands with ease and placing the tower back on the table. “So which one should I get?” He said, hands on hips as he assessed his many choices.

You breathed out a confused chuckle “Are you not getting them all?” His head whipped round to where you were stood.

“Am I allowed?” He asked, like a child whose parent had finally said yes to getting ice cream.

“I don’t see why not. You never read and I can’t wait to have a book buddy” You replied with a cheeky grin, nudging his arm with your shoulder.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” He exclaimed whilst showering you with kisses. You giggled pushing him back marginally.  

“Let me get my book and we can go and pay” He nodded happily, bouncing on the balls of his feet as you rushed back to where the novel that your friend had recommended was and grabbed it. You helped Shawn carry some of his books to the counter.

After the two of you had had the usual argument over who pays- Shawn winning and smirking the entire drive back to your house- and had got home, Shawn took at least ten minutes deciding which book he was going to dive into first. Eventually he made you pick- he numbered the books 1-7 and made you choose a number- and you both got settled on the couch. You had emptied the basket of blankets and cushions you keep in the living room for movie nights onto the couch, so you and Shawn were cuddled close to each other, completely surrounded by them which created a warm and cosy atmosphere- perfect for reading.

“Wait a second” Shawn murmured before shuffling away from you and moving off the sofa. He headed to the carrier bag from the book store and quickly returned. As he sat down you noticed that he had something in his hand, not being able to see what it was until he had occupied the position he was in previously.

You laughed “Shawn why do you have glasses?” You threw your head back making him smile and pull you closer to him.

“I thought it might help me read more if I bought reading glasses” He tried to justify his reason for making such a pointless purchase. Which only made you laugh harder.

“Stop laughing I want to read” He joked, opening his book and pulling you into his side as you regained some of your composure, giggles still escaping every now and then.

About forty minutes later Shawn murmured “I guess you can say I’ve caught the reading bug” before leaning down and kissing your forehead, then your nose before finally planting a kiss on your lips. You hummed, nuzzling back into his chest “I’m glad you have”. He could feel your smile through his t-shirt.

[callioope]

Good Things in 2019

@theputterer and @the-strongest-stars tagged me in the awesome annual end-of-year Good Things meme! I’ve done this in 2018 & 2017 and always think it’s a fun exercise of both reflection and looking forward.

Oh boy, though, my first thought was, what even happened in 2019? (Looking at a calendar helped! It reminded me of a few things I forgot)

It’s been a Rough Year, friends. Between OCD and basically travelling almost every weekend in the latter half of 2019, I am very much ready for a new year and hopefully a new slate.

But this is about the positives!

Personal

Played a lot of Dungeons and Dragons! I am now officially in two campaigns. This year, I endeavored to recruit more women to play, including the wonderful @allatariel. I play both my beloved cleric, Maritsa (who I’ve been playing her years now) and my new character, Noara, a ranger elf with a red panda familiar (yeah, my DM let me do that for funsies, so I could get an animal sidekick but also still try out the Horizon Walker subclass). 

Speaking of red pandas, I accomplished my LIFE GOAL of meeting a red panda face-to-face. I got to feed Harriet at the Cincinnati Zoo for 30 minutes. She was adorable. 

Completed all my dental work and had a clean bill of dental health two cleanings in a row! 

Attended DC’s Around the World Embassy Day event, always fun

Attended Star Wars night at a local library, where I got to participate in a short demo/lesson on how to fence with a lightsaber!

Attended 50th Anniversary Celebration of Apollo 11 / landing on the moon (dude they projected the rocket on the Washington Monument and it looked so cool)

Returned to the NY Ren Faire and upgraded my ren faire garb

Celebrated at THREE friends’ weddings and got to catch up with old friends I hadn’t seen in awhile

Ate ice cream at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Vermont

Went to NYCC for the third year in a row. Got to wear 2 costumes this year: a 1920s flapper interpretation of an occamy and my Endor!Leia costume (repeat of 2017). Learned the True Pain of sewing. Created feather shawl for my occamy costume. Learned the True Pain of crafting.

Celebrated one year anniversary with hubbie down where we got married: visited the museum we got married in and actually got a chance to enjoy the exhibits, went to our favorite brunch place down there, got to check out Fleet Week and tour an aircraft carrier and uh... I think it was a missile cruiser? 

Went up to PSU for a women’s hockey game for sister’s birthday (made embarrassing HAPPY BIRTHDAY sign for the cameras); also it was an absolutely wonderful fall drive on the way up there

Got to see The Rise of Skywalker in IMAX at the Smithsonian Air & Space Center with the awesome @allatariel! (thank goodness we had each other to get through that movie lol) also got to reuse my Endor!Leia costume. I did my own braids for the first time ever! (usually my talented sister does them) They looked like braids done by a n00b, but I didn’t care because they were passable and I did them myself and that was a Big Thing for Perfectionist Me (to not just... say screw it and undo it and just. give up. but to just let them be as is)

Worked hard at therapy and self care

Got a Sleep Number bed and holy shit let me tell you. i can actually sleep now.

OH! I almost forgot!!! Started playing Assassin’s Creed! I’ve only ever really played the LEGO Star Wars and Harry Potter video games so like. This was big for me. 

Writing

Finally finished Learning Curve. TBH I was a bit shocked that this was in fact the only fic I published in 2019. What a travesty.

However! I have been writing

@allatariel & I sat down, overanalyzed You’ve Got Mail, and drafted up the outline for my in-universe AU, something I’ve been dreaming of starting for years. Have about 4300 words so far.

Just under the wire, I did manage to start my NatGeo AU, which I’ve been dreaming of since my honeymoon in Nov 2018

Started editing/revising my original young adult fantasy novel

Poked a little at my epic fantasy pirate travel novel idea

Books

I read exactly one book, Among the Red Stars, which I enjoyed. It’s about women fighter pilots in Russia in WW2. Inspired by real people.

Music

Saw Panic at the Disco! in concert. I went along with my sister. Not like a huge fan, but they put on a pretty fun show!

Saw Waitress on Broadway!! OH MY GOD. And Sara Bareilles was starring in it. Amazing. I freaking love her music (”How does she know / what a heart sounds like?” gahhh). She was so good, and the show was so good. I literally cried all the way through it just because I was so happy to be there, but also because of the content. Man.

Saw Sara Bareilles again, in concert, in Philly. I love her so much.

Television

Finished Critical Role Campaign 1! Oh man, what a ride. Gosh, I love that show. I really need to catch up in C2 now. I’ve started it but I’m only on episode 26 or 27.

I’m not sure whether I finished The Clone Wars in 2018 or 2019. I think it was early 2019. This show was amazing and this was the character development that Anakin Skywalker needed. I love Ahsoka Tano. I cannot wait for the last season.  

Finished Rebels!!! AGAIN, what a ride!!! I still love Ahsoka Tano. I also love Hera Syndulla and Sabine Wren. Sabine’s Darksaber arc was fantastic.

The Mandalorian OMG BABY YODA!!! Yes, I have succumbed to the adorableness of Baby Yoda. Most adorable SW character forever. But also just an enjoyable story in general. This, this is how you craft a story. still NOT over the darksaber omg. 

The Good Place is continuing to be good. Not as crazy about season 4, but I’m so glad they decided to limit the seasons.

Got my sister to watch Rebels!! And then even a few episodes of The Clone Wars!!! Mwahaha >) 

Finally got around to watching The Great British Bake Off, what a sweet show!

OMG I ALMOST FORGOT Anne With an E!!! Gosh what a wonderful wholesome delightful show. No I haven’t watched S3 yet because I am Lawful Good to a fault and just patiently waiting for it to come on Netflix

Film

So, I woefully neglected to mention The Aeronauts in this post about my favorite movies in the 2010s and that was a Mistake. Because I really enjoyed this one

But otherwise probably check out that list. Because I don’t go to the movies that often, actually, and anything I really loved from 2019 is most definitely listed there.

Did I meet my 2019 Goals?

Writing: Fandom

Finish Learning Curve YES

...and How to Lose a Spy in 10 Days Uh, no, not so much

Begin and complete the in-canon universe You’ve Got Mail AU YES, it is begun but no it is not complete

Try to knock out a few other projects on my 30+ SW ideas Umm, I did start / poke at a few things in addition to the YGM and NatGeo AUs, but nothing really “knocked out”

Try my hand at creating more visual fan works (like moodboards/photosets, step 1, learn proper terminology) ahahahah, no. 

Writing: Original

Query more agents for my completed original novel YIKES, No. But I wasn’t anticipating that I’d decide to heavily edit/revise my manuscript.

Actually get around to deciding which idea I want to work on next and work on it Yeah, sure, I decided. How nice of past!Liz to make this goal so reachable as “deciding” lol

Reading

Be more supportive in helping my friend run Book Club so that it can actually meet more regularly HA, oops. Book Club died, but kind of in favor of being able to start a second D&D campaign. At least that’s the trade off I’m looking at. I had some OCD-related glasses issues this year that inhibited reading a lot.

Try to read at least one book for myself outside of Book Club lol WELL the one book I read this year was not part of Book Club sooo

Goals for 2020

Writing

I’m not going to make this a completion goal, but instead...

...I’d like to just focus on creating a regular writing schedule/habit. Whatever the project, I just want to make sure I carve out significant time each week just to write. I don’t want to set a specific goal like “x hours a week” for now, but I want to make sure that I am writing each week.

To achieve that (because what are goals without maps):

If the words don’t immediately jump onto the page, then I’m going to try outlining or summarizing. I’m going to let go of overthinking how sentences are phrased, and just pretend I’m describing the story idea to a friend.

That blank page is staring at me and I’m just going to fill it with words no matter what I might think of them!

And I’m going to let everything else expand from there. And see how that works.

Edit my original manuscript

Query more agents re: original manuscript

Look into the idea of perhaps forming or joining a writer’s group for original writing oh gosh that is so scary

Other

Get back into reading

Develop a routine for working out

Eat healthier

Continue focusing on therapy goals

Get around to watching: Black Sails, Mad Max: Fury Road, Arrival

Get better at responding to things in general

Tagging: @allatariel, @magalis, @mythologicalmango, @skitzofreak, @threadsketchier, @brynnmclean, @ruby-red-inky-blue, @siachti and anyone else who sees this and wants to do it!

Happy New Year y’all!

[frekydeki]

Much Like Lightning

Summary: You were once someone who would laugh at the one bozo in seven hundred thousand that got struck by lightning... Except now, you are that bozo. Add to that the fact that you get thrown back into time where the comfy dungeon you're stuck in is visited by a certain earl and his butler, and the Queen of England decides they're the only ones fit to babysit you, makes your bad luck like a nice little sundae on a good ole rainy Sunday. You happen to fall in love with the sinfully beautiful butler and accidentally earn the affections of others along the way; hey, just think of it as the cherry on top of your very unlucky sundae,

Pairing: (Reader x Various) (Reader x Sebastian, more specifically)

 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4: Upcoming

"Dismissed." The professor giggles to the class. Her good wishes are washed out by bags being zipped and textbooks being slapped shut. Your strong gaze, however, remains stilled on the pouring rain outside; thunder shudders in through the shut windows... You would rather avoid driving in this kind of weather. It makes your hands shaky, your tongue swells, and sweat collects on the surface of your skin... Sometimes the scars littered across your back even start to hurt. "(Y/N)?" Your professor softly calls, her round glasses glaring because of the white light shining from the large lights above. Her slack mouth twitches, brows nearly melting off her face; your stomach begins an acidic burn at the look she is giving you... "I'm fine!" You put a smile on your face as well as you can. "It's raining pretty hard out there..." She slowly speaks, "Want me to drive you back?" Your hands are soon in a flurry in front of you, heat popping into your cheeks. "No!" You clear your throat and fold your hands in front of you, trying to collect your frantic personality, "No," Your voice comes out smoothly, "I have an umbrella." She watches you with blinking eyes, waiting for you to fill the silence. "Not a single drop will touch me." Her head begins to bob in acceptance, her back stiff and shoulders slouched; you put it up to her age, which is higher up in the numbers. "Have a good one, Professor Bennett." "Good night, (Y/N)." You step from the classroom, into the large, empty hallway. Through the doors you can see the glare of headlights passing; you can just barely hear the rain tapping the glass gently. From your black bookbag you pull your umbrella, and then take to stuffing your headphones into your ears and turning your music up loud enough to drown out all possible sound. The black metal of the door is cold on your clammy hands; you should put your hood up just in case - you even pull at the ends of your hoodie to try and cover your hands from possible rogue raindrops. "Hey." Is purred from your right, you close the door that you'd begun to open, to meet the brown eyes of the boy wiggling his eyebrows at you. You pop one of your headphones out with a twitch in your brow. "What are you doing tonight?" Your skin crawls as you try to piece together what hiccup of a pickup line he's going to use this time. "I'm..." Your eyes dart to the left, "Going to study... I have a test in history this week. Skipped class too many times this chapter." Watching the way his eyes turn down and the color in his cheeks fade away would make any sweet girls stomach rocket into hell; lucky for you you're a terrible human. 

"Oh, well... Maybe we could study together?" "Charlie, you're not in my class." "I'm good at history." "Then, maybe some other time." You tap his shoulder in an attempt to be comforting, "Just, not tonight." Offering him a hesitant smile, you say your good-bye to him with a flimsy, "Goodnight Charlie." You aren't a big fan of liars. You have too much experience with them, knowing all of the reasons, the tactics and strategies, and most of all, all about their consequences.  It's obvious that while honesty can be a little more difficult, it's somehow way easier. That being said, you should also mention that you're a hypocrite, because you just blatantly lied to Charlie's poor face. Study? It probably would have been more believable if you would have just said "Generic excuse" to him or something. You know damn well what you're going to do tonight; it's almost a ritual at this point. Unlocking the door to your car, you plop down into the seat and screech about your leather seats for about two minutes; summed up, they're bad in the winter because they're so cold and they're bad in the summer because they're too hot - all around they're bad. After turning your car on and letting the engine warm up, you finally work up the strength to pull the headphones out of your ears. This time, for sure, you won't have a flashback. You click the car into drive and putter from the parking lot, leg pulling back from the gas peddle several times. The corners of your mouth bury themselves into your cheeks, stretching your dry lips into a concentrated line, and your brows stitch together. Your eyes never stutter from the lane - barely checking the lights - and every time a car hisses by, you turn your radio up louder and louder. Living so far away is a menace, especially for a girl like you; on rainy nights like this, after your classes, you turn into a danger to society and should be off the road at all costs. But, you're stubborn. Determined to be self-sufficient... Anyways, there's nothing you should be afraid of. By the time you pull into your secluded driveway, your dinky car is about to fall apart because your music is so loud, and you look like you've been through ten world wars. Shaking hands spend a long while trying to unlock your front door. The longer you spend trying to unlock the door, the sound of the rain hitting the ground gets louder, and the harder your hands shake; you put a whole new meaning to try and run away from the rain. Some girls run from it like it's life or death - for their hair, for their outfit, whatever it is - but for you, it is. Finally, finally, the door swings open, and you tumble in like you've just barely dodged a bullet. You shed your wet jacket, hanging it up on the coat rack, your last name engraved on the top  of it with some weird looking ducks on either side of it; your mom has an obsession with them. You smile to the familiar faces saying their welcome homes, "I'm home, Mom, Papa." You head for the living room finding it surprisingly dirty for your tastes; you pick up the empty wrappers and the two plates on the end stand. "Gosh, we've kind of let the place go, huh?" You call. You start the dishwasher and wipe up the kitchen counters before snatching a bag of chips from the pantry. Marching down the hall with a little less passion in each step forward, you stop in front of the thin table lining the downstairs hallway. "You should be proud of me, Pops. I made it home tonight without a flashback." You call a little above a whisper. "I learned about show versus tell in creative writing today." You babble, lighting an incense, and watching the smoke rise to the white ceiling, parting at the brown beams running horizontally across it. "I'll show you just how well I'm doing now. Watch over me." You stare at their smiling faces, stuck in that simple brown frame. Almost a minute passes in silence, until you whisper again, "I wish you could have made it home with me too." You swallow the knot in your throat and nod, forcing a smile to your trembling lips. "Goodnight, Momma, Papa." "Sebastian!" You call, clicking your tongue, and turning sharply from the table. You shake the bag of chips, hoping he'd take it as a bag of treats. You don't hear his bell tinkering towards you for a minute, so you shake it again. "Sebastian! Here kitty kitty! Let's go to bed," Peaking into every room as you head upstairs to your bedroom, you grumble under your breath, "Where the hell are you, ya little shit?" You stomp up the stairs, opting out of tearing the upstairs apart looking for him quite yet; you should get in your battle uniform. You step into your cluttered room and pull a new pair of floral pajama pants and a random t-shirt from your dresser and then dress sluggishly. Chirping from the cage hanging in the corner of your room draws your attention up. You smile to the sweet blue bird staring at you with those endless eyes. His food must be out; he did eat a lot for such a tiny little thing. "Hi, Ciel." You did get a little kick out of your dry humor every time you would snuggle into your bed with a good book in your lap, and Sebastian sitting on top of your dresser staring hungrily at Ciel. "Speaking of Sebastian," You begin, pushing his small bowl back into its place, which he flutters to instantly, cocking his head at you, "Have you seen him?" He squeaks back incessantly, to which you back away with half lidded eyes and a lift in your upper lip. "Okay, you don't have to be such a brat about it." You step into the hall and cup your hand around your mouth, calling for your black cat. You check all the rooms, but to your disappointment your kitty didn't show up in any of them. Clicking your tongue again and glancing around as if he were hiding in plain sight, you find yourself at a loss of where your cat could've gone. And, just out of the corner of your eye, you see a little black dot sitting in your back yard. Your body is plastered to the window in a second, staring in the orange eyes of your soaked feline who's sitting outside on your uncut lawn. Panic soarS through the entirety of your body as you tumble down the stairs, nearly skipping every step, and shoot through the back sliding door. "Sebastian!" You scream at your annoyingly calm kitty. His head flicks to look at you like you were disturbing his peaceful bird watching, but you ignore his plane stare and still hustle to embrace him. "What are you doing out here? You scared me!" You hug him to your chest as you turn away and look at the library window, left damn near wide open. "That's how you did it, huh?" He meows up to you as you begin to head inside. "I swear, mister, if I didn't know that that story was just a fairytale I'd almost insist you are Sebastian. It gives me the heebie-jeebies, ya know?" You babble to him. "Still, I'm-" Boom. It feels like someone punched you in the back of your head. Every muscle in your body tenses as your legs stop moving and you begin to fall forward. Blinding light is all you see in the reflection of your back door. Time seems to be slowed down as you watch the lightning retract from the ground behind you, and your kitty scramble inside. Hitting the ground, you watch those orange eyes of Sebastian's turn back around and eye you in wonder. What a weird cat.

[gman-003]

Magic Experiment Log, Experiments 001-006

I love Magic: The Gathering. Shit, half the reason I’m on Tumblr is to read Maro’s blog.

One of the things I particularly enjoy is the ability to build new things. Like many players, I don’t copy popular decks, I brew my own. Usually they’re jank, sometimes they work, but I enjoy them all the same. The fun is about the process, the trying out of new ideas. And I do take a somewhat scientific approach - I don’t track numbers all that precisely, but I test ideas by experiment.

I go a bit beyond most players. I do custom card design so I can explore design space I don’t think will ever be explored. I’ve tinkered with creating entire formats - I’ve played Magic without rule 104.3b and 104.3d, just to see what that does to the metagame.

And so it should surprise nobody that, when I made a Cube, I did some weird things. I’ve been playing it for a few months now, so I’ve tried a lot of new ideas. Some of them worked really well, some didn’t. And in the spirit of scientific “publish or perish”, these are the rough results of all my sciencing the shit out of Magic.

Experiment 001: Altered Pack Structure

Most official sets consist of packs with one rare/mythic, three uncommons, ten commons, and a basic land. Some sets will swap the basic land for a common nonbasic (like a guildgate) or a themed card (a conspiracy or draft-matters card in CNS/CNS, or a contraption in UST), and some will swap a common for a double-faced card.

Hypothesis: Having only a single rare reduces drafting decision space. Having a minimum of two rares means your pack 1 pick 1 isn’t just automatically the rare.

Experiment: The pack structure is as follows: six commons, four uncommons, two rares/mythics, one dedicated multicolor slot, one dedicated “illegal” slot, and a nonbasic land. The latter three slots can be of any rarity, intended to be roughly equal between common/uncommon/rare. This gives an average of three rares, five uncommons, and seven commons per pack.

Result: Overwhelming success. The two-rare minimum has been very well received. Drafting involves a lot more tough decisions. Rares make it farther into the draft round - I’ve gotten rares as the last card in a pack! And the higher as-fan makes games less swingy. You’re much more likely to see your bombs - games have less variance. I’ve never felt that I lost because I didn’t see the one powerful card I needed - and I’ve never felt I won only because I started with the one OP card.

Experiment 002: Illegal Cards

As a fan of the more out-there cards, and as a guy who’s bought boxes of both Conspiracy and Un-sets, I obviously would want to try those cards in my Cube. But, I did not want to make it a full-on “silly” cube, rather just add a little bit of fun to an otherwise normal game.

Hypothesis: Adding a dedicated slot for whimsical cards, not legal in constructed formats, bolsters enjoyment without making the game too weird.

Experiment: A slot was added to the packs, containing silver-bordered cards, conspiracies, and draft-matters cards. Due to the low as-fan, parasitic cards were excluded - there is no host/augment, no dice-rolling-matters, no contraptions. As a singleton Cube, conspiracies needing you to note a card name were also excluded.

Result: Huge success. Players universally liked the fun cards, but keeping it checked kept the games relatively normal. Sure, sometimes you’d die to an animated library, or to a Modular Monstrosity with protection from everything, triple strike, lifelink, squirrellink and horsemanship, but it still plays like Magic.

I am slightly concerned by how rarely some cards see play. Split Screen sees play every time it’s in the pool, but I don’t think I’ve seen Gus or Extremely Slow Zombie make the cut. And Archdemon of Paliano is the only card to have effects during the draft, which I think players are overlooking.

Experiment 003: Three-Color Overlapping Archetypes

The difference between a proper Cube and a pile of cards is design. You can’t just select your favorite or most powerful cards, you need them to work together well enough that strategies exist, but not so synergistic as to eliminate strategy.

Hypothesis: A set built around enemy-color synergies within wedge-color archetypes will give a good balance of synergy and creativity.

Experiment: The Cube was constructed with wedge-color archetypes (WUR equipment, UBG poison, BRW attack triggers, RGU energy, GWB graveyard), with the intent of overlap along enemy colors (WB is aggressive but can recurse from graveyard, UR has noncreature-cast triggers, GU has proliferate, etc.). Additionally, a dedicated multicolor slot gave a very high as-fan for multicolor “signpost” cards - for each three-color archetype, one three-color card and one card of each included color pairing is included to provide guidance.

Result: Eventual success. Early iterations of the Cube were too directional, and included too many cards dedicated solely to a single archetype. But, after revisions and expansions, it seems to be working much better. Players are still able to find novel synergies (mono-green Voltron?), but they can still find direction if they need it.

Experiment 004: Multiplayer

I, like many others, am a big fan of multiplayer Magic. Most of my players come from my Commander playgroup, or my Multiplayer Modern playgroup. So it’s only natural the Cube is also multiplayer.

Hypothesis: The Conspiracy Draft model, of drafting in a group of 4-8, then if needed split into pods of 3-5, will work even with only a modest amount of multiplayer-matters cards (3 Melee, 2 Dethrone, 2 Will of the Council, 6 Council’s Dilemma, 4 “can’t attack you”, 2 goad, 1 myriad, 1 friend/foe).

Experiment: Drafts with 6+ people split into two pods for play. If we have the stamina for multiple rounds, we switch up groups each time.

Result: Expected success. It’s not really a surprise that something Wizards actually did works in a more general case. The higher variance seems to be making three-player pods play better than three-player Modern, of which I have played far too much.

Experiment 005: Non-Color-Balanced Packs

Something I have noticed I’m weak at is hate-drafting. I often end up with a surplus of cards I can make use of, and so does everyone else because I didn’t take the pick 4 bomb that wasn’t in my colors.

Prior to this experiment, I had been color-balancing individual packs. I treat colorless as a color for purposes of filling packs - the six commons are one of each color, and the uncommon slots and rare slots did not contain repeats.

Hypothesis: Producing packs with deliberate color focus will force more hate-drafting and add thoughtful decisions to the draft.

Experiment: The Cube packs were filled as follows. One pack each of each single color or colorless cards (multicolor was of that color, with an off-color ability). One pack each of each color pair. One pack each of each of each three-color wedge. Two packs of all five colors. Two packs of colorless cards.

Result: Abject failure. This led to extreme dissatisfaction. One color was present in every single player’s deck, and another color was completely absent despite having a mono-colored pack in the second round. I abandoned this experiment without even drafting the full box, emptying the half that remained to re-seed. I don’t regret the experiment - it wasn’t a “failure” as an experiment, just as a hypothesis. The experiment worked wonderfully - the data showed very strongly whether it was a good theory or not.

Experiment 006: Adding Planeswalkers

My initial version of the Cube did not have planeswalkers. Mostly because they’re hella expensive, and I was on a budget, but also because they generate a lot of value over time. You get a good planeswalker out, you dominate the game quickly.

And then I played War of the Spark limited. So clearly I had to add some, especially with proliferate being such a central mechanic in the Cube.

Hypothesis: Adding planeswalkers will be hella fun, and possibly rad.

Experiment: Twenty planeswalker cards were added. The uncommon slot got five monocolor PWs. The rare slot got five monocolor rare/mythics. The gold slot got five enemy-color hybrid uncommons and five enemy-color gold rares/mythics.

Result: Mixed, mostly positive. The hybrid planeswalkers aren’t quite a good match for the mechanics. Saheeli and Nahiri are great, Kiora isn’t on-theme but works well anyways, Kaya is a bit expensive for those aggressive colors, and Vraska just outright doesn’t fit (I have very little deathtouch, probably because of the high level of infect). The mono-color rares are very swingy, possibly stronger bombs than I wanted. But, maybe some higher variance will be good - people certainly enjoy it when they open a pack and see Gideon Blackblade.

The uncommons work the best. The monocolor ones slot in nicely to everything, and the hybrids usually fit. They don’t take over games, but they do put in the work, especially with proliferate around them.

I think that’s enough science for this post. Maybe if I leave some for later, I’ll actually post regularly.

[silverfootstepswrites]

Butterfly [1]

summary The end/the beginning

“Okay, okay, everyone quiet, please,” Tsunade called, clapping her hands together once. People settled into their chairs. Some placing their folders on their desks. Others tucking their phones into their pockets.

“I know everyone is anxious to prep for the day, so I’ll keep this meeting short.”

“Thank God,” muttered Asuma, leaning back in his seat. A few people chuckled, including the principal.

“First of all, I want to welcome everyone back. I hope that you had a chance to relax and recharge over spring vacation. It’s a brand new school year, so I hope you’ll go into it with open minds and high expectations,” Tsunade said, like she did every year. A few people nodded.

“On a sad note, Chiyo-sensei has injured her hip and will not be able to join us this semester. She’s on bed rest to recover from her surgery,” Tsunade then added. A murmur rippled around the room. Chiyo had been at the school for longer than anybody.  Although stern-faced, she always had words of wisdom to offer. Sort of like a terrifying grandmother to all the faculty.

“We’ve hired a replacement, though. I’m sure some of you will be familiar with her already.”

As if on cue, a head popped in through the door.

“Konchiwa!” she chirruped. flashing a grin.

Asuma jumped to his feet, nearly knocking his chair over.

“Ah! You!” he exclaimed, pointing. She danced into the room, reaching across the desk to bump her fist against his. They slapped their palms together. Gripping them tight for a moment.

“Sarutobi-sensei!” she said, releasing his hand.

“Haruno-kun! Wait, no. You got married, right? What’s your name now?” he asked.

Still smiling, she held up her left hand to reveal a bare ring finger.

“Just Haruno again. I got divorced last month!” she announced in the same cheerful tone.

Absolute silence answered her. Anxious eyes darting around as people tried to think of what to say. But she solved the problem by laughing.

“Anyway, I’ll be the new school librarian starting today,” Sakura declared. Teeth gleaming bright as she flashed another smile.

After Tsunade wrapped up the meeting, normally, the teachers gathered up their things. Some went to make copies before classes started. Others went to make coffee or put their lunches away in the fridge in the small kitchen tucked into the back of the staff room.

But today, everyone crowded around the new hire. Although, it was hard to call her “new” when most of them knew her quite well.

“Can’t believe you’re the replacement!” laughed Kurenai, clapping Sakura on the shoulder.

“That’s right, I was watching your interview on the television the other day. Is it true that you’re retiring?” Shizune asked.

“Alright, you’re smothering her. Give her some space,” grumbled Asuma, swatting his clipboard around. Fist on his hip, he glared around at his coworkers.

“We’ll go out for drinks tonight and you can pester her then,” he added.

“Bleh. You’re no fun, Sarutobi-sensei,” one of the teachers complained.

“Don’t make me blow my whistle at you,” Asuma threatened. It dangled around his neck from a red lanyard. And it didn’t take long for the rest of the teachers to disperse, finally getting started with their prep for the day.

Kurenai lingered, leaning against the desk. “We’ll do all the catching up tonight. For now, focus on getting settled in. Do you need help getting to the library?” she said.

Sakura shook her head. “I still remember.” Sakura tapped her temple.

“Alright. Let me know if you have any questions,” Kurenai told her. Patting the top of the desk twice.

The library was on the second floor of the school. It was at the far end of the hallway, right next to the home economics room. She remembered spending her free periods studying there, the smell of fresh cookies spilling over from the class next door.

She slid the white door open. It was empty, just as she had expected. It was too early for most students to even think about being in here. Sakura stood in the doorway, admiring the lines of shelves. There were rectangular wooden tables in the middle of the room. Matching chairs pushed in underneath them.

There was a counter by the entrance. She remembered passing her books to Chiyo-sensei over it, waiting for her to stamp the white card inside. The smell of ink clinging to the cover as she shut the book. She also recalled the Chiyo-sensei had kept an orchid on the corner of the desk. A little pop of purple in the room otherwise filled with different shades of brown.

Sakura set her bag down on the desk, flicking on all the lights. She moved to the windows. She opened up all the blinds, let the sunlight stream in. And she stood, admiring the view. Her hands on her hips, she watched the schoolyard. Students were beginning to trickle in. Some walking their bikes, others strolling through the gates with their friends.

She inhaled deep through her nose. Exhaled just as slowly.

It felt strange to be home after so long.

The gold medal was a nice weight around her neck. Sakura wore it for all the interviews and press conferences. It gleamed in all the photos, catching all the light. She smiled until her cheeks hurt. Fielding all the questions from the reporters waving their hands around. The nonstop click of the cameras almost sounded like applause everywhere she went.

“Sakura, you broke your personal best today. How does that make you feel?”

“Grateful. I feel like all the support and love I’ve received helped me get to this point,” she responded.

“Is there anyone specific you’d like to thank?”

“My coach, of course, who’s taught me everything. And my fans for always supporting me,” Sakura said. As if she hadn’t answered that one hundreds of times before.

“Sakura, what’re your plans for next year? There are rumors that you’ll be participating in the World Figure Skating Championships coming up next month.”

And Sakura paused at that. The cameras flashing made colors dance in front of her eyes. She blinked the strange shapes away.

“I won’t. This is my last competition. I’m officially retiring,” she stated.

A gasp rippled through the crowd. More flashes exploding in her vision. Hands flailing around harder to get her attention. And she could feel her coach gaping at her. Sakura stood.

“Thank you all for your questions,” she said, effectively ending the press conference. Offering one last smile and wave, she stepped off the stage. ignoring the way her coach shouted her name as she walked away.

Konoha was a city built defying common sense. Or at least, that was what Sakura had always thought biking up the side of a hill of a mountain to school each day. The ride down was much smoother. And while a lot of her classmates walked their bikes up, taking their time, Sakura was too stubborn to admit defeat. She huffed and puffed her way up each day. Sweat dripping down the back of her neck first thing in the morning. Legs growing stronger with the effort.

She remembered dashing from school as soon as the afternoon clean-up ended. Wheels of her bike spinning in mad circles as she rolled down the side of the hill. Rushing to get to the rink at the bottom of the mountain, or the studio the next town over. Her duffle bag banging against her spine as she ran up and down winding steps.

With the cherry blossoms tumbling off the trees with each gust of wind, Sakura couldn’t help but remember those days. Her ponytail whipping out behind her as she dashed madly towards a goal she couldn’t yet see.

Tsunade introduced Sakura as the new librarian during the opening ceremony. For students in the small town, the arrival of a new teacher sent a ripple of excitement through the students. But it was amplified when the students recognized her name and her pink hair. She could see them murmuring, whispering behind their hands. Eyes darting to her, bright with excitement.

After the assembly ended, Sakura found herself back in the library. In that quiet. And after years of being surrounded by noise on all sides, it was actually kind of nice.

She perused the catalogue and double-checked that the shelves in the library were properly labeled. She even ventured into the dusty back room. Opening up boxes, she found some novels that hadn’t yet been labelled and sorted. She browsed through them, crunching through a handful of cashews with her free hand as she skimmed.

The silence didn’t last for long, though. Students began to trickle in, often in giggling clusters. They whispered as they watched her from behind shelves.

Sakura pretended not to notice them as she thumbed through an old reference book. It had some good information, but it was a little outdated. Which was to be expected in a rural school like this, she supposed. She scribbled this down onto her notepad before she moved on through the inventory.

After a while, one of the students come forward with a book. Hugging it to her chest. Sakura held her hand out for it without looking up. Sakura wrote down the title and number of the book in her log. Pencil scratching across the page. She stamped the card in the inside cover.

“Make sure you return this in two weeks,” Sakura said, handing the book back over the counter.

“Um... Haruno-sensei, could I get a photo with you, please?” the girl requested. And it was only then that Sakura lifted her head.

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Why? I’m just a librarian,” Sakura asked.

The girl squeaked out an apology. She hurried off to join her friends. And they left the library, whispering angrily to each other.

When Sakura wandered into the faculty room around noon, she found Asuma waving his arms around as he told a story.

“And so I say, ‘Akimichi, why are you eating chips on the track?’ and he goes, ‘Because I haven’t had lunch yet, Sensei’,” Asuma concluded. A few of the other teachers chuckled. When Sakura slid the door shut, they looked up at her.

“Ah. Come over here, Haruno-kun. Say hello,” Asuma said, gesturing for her. Sakura’s face lit up as she walked over.

“Hatake-sensei,” she greeted him. Kakashi shook her hand, eyes crinkling as he smiled.

“Haruno-kun. Glad to see you haven’t forgotten your old homeroom teacher,” he replied.

"I'm guessing I didn't see you in the morning because you overslept? Or you were on the roof smoking?" she conjectured. Kakashi rubbed the back of his head, eyes crinkling again.

"Both. Fell asleep on the roof. The weather's so nice, lately," he confessed. And then his eyes popped open. He pointed his thumb in the direction of the man sitting beside him.

"Ah, Haruno-kun, this is Rock Lee-sensei. He's a brand new hire this year, so you wouldn't know him," Kakashi said.

And Lee couldn't even speak at first. His eyes practically sparkling as he stared up at her. Clasping his hands together, he fidgeted, looking a little like he might burst.

"It's a pleasure to meet you!" he finally blurted out, turning a few heads with the declaration. Sakura nodded, shaking his hand.

"What do you teach?" she asked.

"English!" Lee exclaimed. He still seemed to be having trouble adjusting the volume of his voice. Sakura smiled.

"I lived in America for a couple years. Maybe you can help me brush up on my skills so I don't get too rusty," she suggested. When she laughed, Lee did too. His nervous giggles too high-pitched to be natural. Asuma shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers.

The door slid open again and a few people walked in. The man at the front sighed, rolling his shoulders.

"Man, I'm beat. I hate the first few weeks with the 1st years. You have to treat them like they're babies," griped Shikamaru. He tossed his clipboard on his desk. But then he spotted Sakura, and his expression shifted. He walked over, hand held out. Instead of shaking it, Sakura slapped her open palm against his twice before they hit the backs of their hands together.

"Hey. Good to see you, Haruno," he said, grinning.

"Yeah. Good to see you too, Nara. Still can't believe you of all people became a teacher here. You were always griping about how you couldn't wait to leave," Sakura remarked, hand on her hip. Sighing, Shikamaru looked up at the ceiling.

"I can't believe it either," he griped.

They chatted for the rest of lunch break. Kurenai and some of the others joined them. Laughter filling the room as they revisited the old days. Asuma discovering Shikamaru taking a nap in the gym. The time Sakura scaled the side of the building on a dare.

"Remember that time you lifted someone over your head? That was scary," Shikamaru recalled.

"Ah, come on. He was sooo annoying," Sakura added. Kakashi shook his head.

"You guys were such a rowdy homeroom. You gave me so many grey hairs," he complained.

"Hatake-sensei, your hair has always been that color," pointed out Kurenai. They all burst into laughter at that.

After lunch, they all went their separate ways again. Sakura discovered a stack of biology textbooks hidden in the back of the book closet. She rubbed the dust off one of the covers and flipped through. They only looked to be a few years old. Gathering them up in her arms, she headed out of the library, down to the lab. Thankfully, there was no class inside when she peered through the window.

Sakura wedged her elbow into the crack in the door. Shoving it open. She stepped sideways into the lab to avoid smashing the books against the doorframe.

"Excuse me. Sensei?" she called out.

There was a light on in the tiny adjoined office. It flickered off. And then an older man in a white coat stepped through the door. His eyes widened. He rushed forward to take the books from her. Easing them onto the counter.

"Orochimaru-sensei, sorry to barge in like this," Sakura said. Orochimaru removed his reading glasses. He hadn't needed those the last time she had seen him. His expression warmed as he took her in.

"It's not a problem. How can I help you, Haruno-kun? Or, sorry. Haruno-sensei," Orochimaru corrected himself.

"I found these in storage in the library. I was thinking maybe you could use them," Sakura explained, placing her hand on the stack.

Orochimaru peered down at the pile, blinking.

"Well, I'm very thankful for this, but you should have sent some students. You carried these heavy things down the hall all by yourself?" he queried. Sakura smiled.

"I also wanted an excuse to come visit. Sarutobi-sensei wants to drag everyone to a drinking party after work. You're coming, right?"

When he pursed his lips, she already knew his answer. That didn't mean she was going to accept it.

"Please, Orochimaru-sensei. Don't you want to hear about all the cool stuff I've been doing?" she wheedled. Orochimaru's lips twisted.

"I don't know. I'm not a big fan of social gatherings," he hedged. He rubbed his hands together.

"I'll show you my training videos. Even the ones from when I was in Saint Petersburg," Sakura offered. Orochimaru's gaze sharpened. He stared her directly in the eyes.

"Even ones you haven’t posted to your Instagram?" he demanded. And Sakura laughed. She had won.

"You really are obsessed. Yeah, Sensei. Those too," she answered.

When the last bell rang and students filed out of the building, most of the teachers stayed put. There were clubs and activities to advise and paperwork to complete. Some holed up in the faculty room to grade as the sky began to darken.

Sakura lingered in the library, hands on her hips. Shikamaru tilted his head to one side. A book held against his hip.

"I mean, I don't think it's against school rules. I'd double check with the principal, though," he mused. Sakura tilted her head too. Crossing her arms across her chest. She nodded.

The door burst open. Asuma poked his head in, grinning.

"Come on, you two. Time to go!" he called.

"That old man's as annoying as ever," grumbled Shikamaru as they followed him into the hall.

In a town as small as Konoha, there weren't many places to choose from in terms of post-work drinks. There was a bar by the one and only train station, or another bar near the doctor's office. The one near the train station was a little nicer, however, and it seemed that the principal was in a generous mood.

The owner ushered them into the private room in the back. They settled around the low wooden tables. Purses and jackets went in neat piles against the walls.

Sakura made sure to sit next to Orochimaru, who still looked wary about the whole affair. On her other side sat Shikamaru.

Tsunade kept her speech short as she welcomed Sakura to the staff. Making a few jokes here and there that the older teachers laughed at. There were some new faces that Sakura wasn't familiar with. They introduced themselves, and Sakura forgot their names almost immediately. And there wasn't enough time to feel bad about this as food and snacks arrived.

Sakura unlocked her phone and scrolled through her old videos. She opened up the folder that read 'St. Petersburg Training'. Orochimaru leaned closer to get a better look. He pulled out his glasses, perching them on the end of his nose.

Tsunade laughed. “I still can’t get used to those. Orochimaru-sensei, you look like an old man.”

Orochimaru stared at her over his glasses before he replied, “Allow me to gently remind you that you’re a year older than me, Kouchou.” But Tsunade continued to laugh, raising a glass to herself in a toast.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not a day over 40,” she proclaimed. Laughter exploded from her end of the table at that.

Sighing, Orochimaru looked back down at Sakura’s phone. He fixed his glasses again. When Sakura hit play, Shikamaru heard the music and leaned in to watch too.

Sakura’s long ponytail whipped out behind her as she glided around the rink. She gathered momentum and speed, eyes narrowed as she concentrated.

Her left foot slid back. She pushed off, launching into the air. She spun around three times. But when she landed on her left foot, it buckled. She tumbled, hitting the ice hard. Shikamaru and Orochimaru winced in unison. In the video, a man skated over from the opposite end of the rink, chuckling as he helped her to her feet.

In the video, Sakura was laughing too as she stood. Brushing ice off the back of her leggings.

“Stop laughing and show me how to do it again,” she complained.

“You really suck at this. Maybe we should take a break?” he suggested, his back blocking out the camera for a moment. The clip ended there.

Sakura went on, playing through more footage from her training days. They could tell the passage of time from her hair. Long to short. Short to long. She went through phases, braiding it during her junior days, letting it grow long before cutting it short for her senior debut. And then it grew out again as she continued to compete. Her simple t-shirts started to bear famous logos and sponsorships began to pour in.

A few more people crowded around one end of the table to watch. They ‘ooh’ed and cringed in the same spots. Some gasping when she stuck the hard landings. Murmuring remarks when she spiraled in almost a blur, her arms held above her head. When the videos ended, Sakura looked up in time to see Orochimaru dabbing a tear from his eye.

“Oh, Sensei, you big softie!” she laughed, putting her arm around him for a second. He sniffed, expression quite composed.

“Your take-offs are so clean. But you’ve always been good at those,” he sighed, patting her knee. And then he shuffled back to his original position. Taking a sip of his beer.

“I had no idea Orochimaru-sensei was such a figure skating maniac,” Lee whispered. Kakashi chuckled as he poured him another drink.

“Orochimaru-sensei skated when he was younger. He’s the one that taught Haruno how to skate,” Kakashi replied. And Orochimaru smiled sheepishly.

“If only I was more careful and didn’t tear my meniscus in college,” lamented Orochimaru. Sakura patted his hand on top of the table for a moment.

“Then I wouldn’t have met you. I’m sure it’s still a tragedy in your mind, but I consider if one of my biggest blessings, Sensei,” Sakura assured him. Orochimaru went very quiet as he stared at her. Tears welled up in his eyes. Putting his arm around her, he yelled out for the waitress.

“Another round of beers on me, please,” he called.

A cheer rose up around the table.

Sakura spent the rest of the night getting to know the other teachers. The people like Asuma, Kurenai, and Kakashi had been her own teachers in high school. It felt strange to call them her colleagues now. And it felt even stranger for them to turn around and call her ‘sensei’ too. She saw new sides of them that she hadn’t had a chance to see. Like how Kakashi giggled with each new drink he tossed back. And how Tsunade told some bawdy stories that made Sakura’s cheeks burn as she listened in.

It had been nearly 10 years since she had set foot in her hometown. And while some of the faces were more lined, there was something comforting about sitting there. Listening to the inconsequential gossip. No stares or whispers as people tried to secretly take her photo.

She let Kurenai pour her another drink. Asuma lifted his glass and everyone else copied him.

“Welcome home, Haruno Sakura,” he crowed.

“Kampai!” everyone else cheered, clinking their glasses together. Beer foaming and sloshing down the sides.

Sakura threw her head back and laughed from deep inside her belly.

[fanfic-scribbles]

13 Kisses (And One To Grow On)

A/N: Took these kiss prompts from a few lists I’ve found and collected over time. Removed some and added others.

Summary: While browsing mindlessly one day, you stumble across a list of the most underrated places to be kissed. Gabriel decides to test them out. For science.

Quick facts: Romance fic – Gabriel/Reader – Established relationship

Warnings: Implied smut/sexytimes, some heated intimacy, language, fluff

Words: 4242

  1. Forehead

It’s a boring day. Normally that’s fine –a day without death is a respite– but everyone is gone and you are bored. Dean and Sam are in town getting car parts and groceries, respectively, Gabriel is busy, Castiel is who-the-hell-knows where, and you can only go to the shooting range so much before it stops being practice and starts becoming a waste of ammo.

You frown when you think of what Gabriel might be getting up to. It figures that you finally get a day (and the entire bunker!) all to yourself and your boyfriend is hopelessly busy. At least you know he’s actually busy and not just blowing you off to torment some schmuck. But still.

“Hey sugar,” Gabriel says from behind you and crosses his arms loosely over your chest as he leans in.

“Gabriel!” You lean back and relax into your angel. “I thought you were busy today.”

“Still am,” he says. “But I heard you calling for me and I wanted to check in.”

“Oh.” Oops. “Sorry.” Prayer is, you have learned, a very loose concept and when you have a connection with an angel it unravels even more.

“I don’t mind.” He rests his head on your shoulder and reads out loud from your computer. “‘The Thirteen Most Underrated Kisses’.”

You snort and look for what he sees. It figures that he’d find some crappy Cosmo-adjacent article you weren’t even reading. But it sounds amusing so you click the link and start skimming. “It’s…cute, I guess.”

Gabriel chuckles in your ear. You turn to smile at him. “Speaking of kisses– can I get one before you leave?”

His grin is impish at best and you have the sense to be slightly worried. ‘Slightly’ because you know that Gabriel will never hurt you. ‘Worried’ because, well, he’s still Gabriel.

Even so, you expect a kiss on your lips. You don’t expect him to move up your face and press a firm smooch to your forehead. Even as he pulls back there’s a feeling, almost like an indentation, left on your skin. “You didn’t–” You look at the list and, sure enough, ‘Forehead’ is number one. You laugh. “You little bastard.”

“You wouldn’t have me any other way,” he says, so obviously pleased with himself.

“You know it,” you say and, because two can play at that game, you kiss his forehead. “I’ll see you soon?”

“You can’t keep me away. Just ask Dean.” He winks and is gone, leaving you with the lingering feeling of his lips on your skin. You smile and actually start to relax for the first time all day. Maybe it is a little underrated.

  2. Cheek

You’re at a diner with Sam and Dean when someone suddenly appears on the bench next to you. You smile as Dean rolls his eyes and leans his head back like this day is just the worst. Only one person can make Dean so annoyed by their mere presence.

“Hey Sweet Thing,” Gabriel says and presses a kiss to your cheek. Again, there’s the feel of lips left behind and you giggle and touch it.

“Oh jeeze, knock it off you two. Some of us need to eat,” Dean says and Sam shakes his head. He hasn’t quite come around to Gabriel yet but at least he’s trying.

“Well you better settle your own stomach, because some of us don’t care,” you say and wrap your arm around Gabriel’s back. Dean fake-retches and you laugh, and when you steal a look at Gabriel as your food arrives you catch him smiling brightly at you.

   3. Back of the Hand.

“You guys okay?” you ask Sam and Dean.

“Fan-fucking-tastic,” Dean grumbles and Sam groans. You sigh. Well, at least they’re alive. Dean is leaning on the trunk, Sam is sitting with his back against the wheel, and you’re kneeling on the ground, spent. Gabriel is admiring his work– his work being a currently burning abandoned farmhouse. You can’t help but think how nice he looks in the glow of the fire, hair lightly blowing in the wind.

He flashes you a grin and you roll your eyes. “You better not be in my head,” you grumble without any real anger.

“I don’t have to. I can just tell by the way you look at me,” he says with a wink and leans over, hand stretched towards you. You’re not sure you’re ready to get up yet but you take the offer anyway. But he doesn’t yank you to your feet. Energy fills you slowly and your aches and pains fade away.

Only after you’re back to normal does Gabriel help you up. “Thanks Gabe,” you say and press a quick kiss to his lips. He smirks and pulls your hand up for a kiss. You’re starting to get used to the tingling that comes with these strangely purposeful kisses.

“Anytime, Sugarplum.”

   4. Shoulder

It’s storming outside. The thunder has calmed down a bit but you know it’s still pouring. You’re alone in the library, putting away books, and just being…lonely. Sam and Dean are around, you could probably have their company if you really want it, but you can’t have the company you want the most.

You stop in the middle of pushing a book into place to swear at yourself. You knew you wouldn’t get Gabriel 24/7 when you both entered this relationship. And honestly, you’re still okay with that. Gabriel all day every day is something no one but Gabriel can handle. Still, right now you can’t help but miss him. It’s just one of those days.

Arms wrap around you and you gasp. Gabe is quiet. Too quiet. “I– crap, I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to–”

“Shh.” He holds you close and you can feel his breath on your neck, in your ear. “I kinda think I missed you too.”

You smile. It’s about as close to real emotion that Gabriel can express. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” He presses a kiss to your shoulder blade and there’s the newly-familiar feeling of his lips lingering. Even as he speaks it feels like he’s still kissing you. “I’ll see you soon, Cupcake.”

“Are you gonna bring a new nickname every time you come around?” you can’t help but joke.

He chuckles into your skin, chasing a chill up the back of your neck. “I’ll do my best, Sugarlump.”

You laugh. “Okay,” you say, and you feel it. Even when he’s gone you can shut your eyes and it’s like he’s still there. These kisses are starting to feel like promises and, sappy as it sounds, you don’t mind that at all.

   5. Fingertips

“Ow, fuck!” you hiss and slide the hot tray of fresh-out-of-the-oven cupcakes onto the counter before going to the sink.

You wait as the cold water runs over the burn and you appraise your work from a distance. Three trays of cupcakes and they all look really good. You don’t bake often but it seemed better to have a vehicle for that amazing-looking frosting you just had to buy.

And if there was an extra tub of it just lying around that maybe made its way to your room accompanied by a spoon…well…

“Oh Sugarlips; what happened?”

You snort. “Too bad you already used ‘Cupcake’, isn’t it?”

Gabriel sidles up next to you and wraps an arm around your waist. “Nah. That’d be too easy.”

“Hm.” You turn off the faucet and pat your finger dry to find a blister. “Damn it. It just had to be my trigger finger…”

“Allow me,” Gabriel says and steals your hand. When he presses his lips very deliberately to your finger you smile because by now you know what’s coming.

But the tingling sensation moves down your finger to pool in the base of your palm and your breath hitches. Gabriel then moves to the next finger, and the feeling repeats. He moves his way across your digits, thumb and all, and when he holds up your other hand you realize you’re staring and barely breathing. But Gabriel pays complete attention only to his self-assigned task, shutting his eyes with each kiss, like every single one is a blessing.

At the end of it your heart is beating faster and you have to catch your breath. The intimacy is suddenly too much and you scramble to find your footing. You wiggle your fingers, noting how heavy they feel, and you exhale a breathless laugh. “Really? You had to do all of them?”

Gabriel grins, winks, and disappears.

Once you have yourself under control you rub your hands together to ease the feeling left behind. Then you roll your eyes, huff, and turn back to the counter. And freeze.

“Gabriel you little shit BRING BACK MY FROSTING!”

   6. Collarbone

You are going to finish this book.

…Well, if you’re being honest with yourself, it probably won't happen tonight like you had intended. But you have so little left to get through and it’s still early…ish. You're not going to check the time.

You're dozing (again) when you realize someone is standing next to you. It takes a moment, but once you realize that fact you snap to pretty suddenly. You drop your book to the table and your arms do this weird flailing thing that confuses even you, until your chair falls forward and is on four legs again. Once you get a hold of your body you blink, and realize that Gabriel is caught in nigh-hysterical laughter. You scowl at him but the sound is so genuine that it warms your heart and you can’t help but smile. You probably did look ridiculous.

After a good (maybe too) long laugh, he sits sideways in the chair next to you and stretches his legs over your lap. “What’re ya doing Gumdrop?”

For some reason that name makes you giggle. A lot. Shoulders shaking, you realize, aw hell, it’s not that funny and you must be more tired than you thought. You gain some self-control and settle back into place with your book, eyes already starting to droop again. “Readin’.”

“Really? Because it looked like you were sleepin’.”

Rats. “Nope,” you say and try again with the page. Fifth time’s the charm, you hope.

“My bad. You must have been reading with your eyes closed.”

“Shut up,” you say and shoot him a smile. You turn back to your book and focus because Gabriel is watching now. Every word is as much a slog as every step after a marathon run but you’re getting through. Mostly.

You jerk your head up, having caught yourself about to fall asleep yet again. Gabriel chuckles. He’s sitting so much closer to you now and his feet are back on the ground. He’s staring at you and you stare back, trying to figure out what he could be up t–

He presses a light kiss to the end of your collarbone closest to your shoulder. Then he moves in and presses another one right next to it– this time with a little suckle that makes you drop your book. “Gabriel,” you say, sounding strangled as he places open-mouthed kisses all the way down, stopping at the middle to dip his tongue to the space in the middle and you let your head fall back. “Damn it,” you mumble, completely unable to open your eyes now. Apparently you’ve reached your quota.

“Let’s go to bed, Lemon Drop,” Gabriel chuckles and picks you up.

   7. Nose

“Let’s give ‘em some space,” Dean says and you listen as they shuffle away awkwardly. You don’t look away from the unconscious angel under you. You’re kneeling behind Gabriel’s head, having moved there to give Castiel whatever room he needed, but now you can’t seem to move anywhere else. You lean down and study his face, now calm and peaceful whereas before he had been screaming in agony, trapped in his vessel while a warded knife had tried to destroy his true self.

He’s safe now, he’s fine; Castiel told you he’s going to be just fine, but how close he had been still makes you tremble. The demon-led coven of witches is dead, razed to the ground with everything they had, but you’d kill them all with your bare hands if you could. You’d–

Gabriel’s eyes flutter open and all thoughts of murder leave you as he takes some time to stare up at you. It’s an alien reaction, probably unnerving with how utterly still he is, but you’re used to this sort of thing by now. You force a smile. “How you feeling, Fruitcake?”

He blinks and slowly grows a smile. He holds your head and picks himself up enough to place a kiss to your nose. As per his new habit, it lingers. “Like I could use about a week in bed, Bonbon. You up for it?”

You laugh, relieved tears coming to your eyes. “Don’t do that to me ever again.”

“I can’t promise that.” His smile turns to that same cocky expression you know and alternately love and hate. “Especially when I get such a nice view when I wake up.”

You shake your head and rest your forehead against his. “As long as you wake up.”

   8. Throat

You’re cuddling on the couch, watching a monster movie marathon when Gabe starts to squirm. You lift your head to look at him but he keeps his frown focused on the TV even though he moves like his back itches. And itches. And it must really itch back there.

“You okay?” you ask and he snaps his head down like he forgot you were there. Maybe he didn’t know you were still awake, judging by his embarrassed smile. You smile back, because who would have thought he’d be this comfortable with you? “Need me to scratch your back?”

He squints, sort of looking like Castiel for a moment and you have to bite down on a laugh. “Yeah, actually,” he says, surprising you. You sit up and he flops down on his stomach. He looks back at you and flutters his eyelashes. “Pretty pretty please, my little Snickerdoodle? I’ll pay you back.”

You laugh and start scratching his back all over. “That might be even more ridiculous than ‘Sugarlump’.”

“Oooof,” he says and his eyes partly shut in bliss. You half expect him to start purring. It wouldn’t be the weirdest thing he’s ever done. “Whatever you say, as long as you keep doing that…”

You chuckle but keep up your work, alternating between using your nails and pressing in hard with your fingers. Gabriel is content through it all and you can feel him relax and then come back to himself. When he stretches you sit back and ask, “Better?”

“Oh. Much.” You barely catch a flash of the mischievous look in his eyes before he pounces and has you pinned to the couch. You squirm but his grip is light and the look on his face is playful.

“What are you up to?” you ask suspiciously, fighting a losing battle against a smile.

“I told you I’d repay the favor,” he says and dips down to kiss your throat.

You gasp as his tongue and lips work their way up your neck. He kisses, nips, and suckles at almost every inch of flesh and you wiggle underneath him, unable to grab, hold, or do anything else as your angel teases his way up and over to your jaw line. You moan approvingly as he starts to go for your ear–

The light flicks on and you blink at the sudden brightness.

“Oh– oh, son of a bitch my eyes!”

Gabriel’s eyes flash as he sits up and turns to glare death at Dean, and you sigh and throw your arm over your own eyes, mood effectively killed.

You hope Gabriel takes requests for TV Hell.

   9. Eyelids

You’re lying in bed with Gabe. Nothing is happening. The hunt you just went on was nonstop from the second you left the bunker and ended with you and the boys being chased on your way out of town, making a thirteen-hour trip back home in half the time and leaving you so full on adrenaline you could barely sleep the entire way, especially with Dean keeping himself awake by blasting his music. You’re finally back home, showered, and coming down from the stage of ‘somehow too tired to sleep’ much to Gabriel’s annoyance.

So now you’re dozing, on the very cusp of sleep when Gabriel leans over you. You can sense it. You can certainly feel it when he presses a kiss to each of your eyelids. “Hey, don’t send me to the ferryman yet,” you mumble, waking up just slightly.

He snorts and nuzzles you. “Go to sleep, Sweets.”

You don’t need to be told twice.

   10. Spine

“Hey, see if you can find this book?”

“On it,” you say and snatch the index card Sam’s holding up. He won't look up from his computer and he probably won’t even remember he sent you to get the book when you bring it to him, he’s so deep in his research hole. You grin at the thought and go to one of the larger sets of shelves, searching high and low for the book on ghouls Sam needs.

Of course it’s high. You stand on your tip toes and reach, just barely able to grab the book, when arms wrap around you. You freeze. Seriously, Gabriel is lucky you’re not as high-strung as you were before you started living in a heavily fortified bunker, or his vessel would resemble a colander by now.

One arm is wrapped around your hip and the other one crosses up over your stomach. His nose pokes into your lower back and you whisper, “Gabe, what are you doin–”

“Shh,” Gabriel whispers and presses a kiss into the base of your spine. You gasp and look back but Sam is, thankfully, still in his own little world. You turn your head forward again, keeping quiet as Gabriel kisses up your spine. Despite the loose shirt you feel each and every kiss as surely as if you were wearing nothing. There are no nips, no tongue, just lips moving up your back and ending just under the back of your neck. Your breathing is shallow and it sounds like Gabriel’s is too, as he just stands there, his arms tighter around you, breathing you in.

“Happy researching, Honeybun,” he says with a smile in his voice before he’s off again.

You barely manage to pull the book out and you move more slowly, as if dazed. Sam takes the tome from you with a, “Oh, thanks, how did you know I…” and he’s back in the zone again, utterly oblivious as you slump at the table and take a moment to collect yourself.

You are suspicious that any of these kisses could ever be underrated.

   11. Stomach

You wake up, too comfortable to be on an old warehouse floor. It’s warm and you’re laying on something so soft that for a moment you think you might be dreaming. You hear Gabriel murmuring in some other language– Enochian. This is a surprise. He never speaks it, at least not where you can hear it, and it sounds almost beautiful coming from him. You’ve only heard the language in halting syllables born of Sam’s inexperience, and rough, start-stop words from Castiel’s rough gravel and grave voice. Gabe’s words are light, almost sing-song, and carry the harsh language more smoothly than you would have thought possible.

It takes you a minute to realize your shirt is off. It bothers you less than you think it should– but when Gabe presses heavy kisses in a small circle around a spot on your stomach, you understand why. You, a rogue angel and said angel’s blade made for a very unhappy meeting.

You blink your eyes open and lean your head to the side so you can look down at Gabriel. Hazel eyes glinting gold look up at you as he presses one last kiss to the new scar just an inch or two from your bellybutton. “Don’t ever do that to me again,” he says.

“I can’t promise that.” You smile and run your fingers through his hair. “Especially when I get such a nice view.”

He snorts and shoots you an ‘I’m so not amused’ look, but he rests his head on your stomach so he can keep his eyes on you. His fingers stroke so lightly down your other side you can barely feel them. “It was so much easier. Before.”

“It always is,” you say levelly. As much as Gabriel is known for running, he hasn’t done so yet. He could have healed you in the warehouse and left, digging a hole too deep for anybody to ever find him again. But he’s here, now, and that means something.

“Do you ever wonder if it isn’t worth it?”

“Oh, absolutely.”

He looks like he didn’t expect that. Your smile feels a little more natural, a little less forced, and you brush your fingers across his cheek. “I wonder sometimes, and every time I realize that it is. Even when you annoy the ever-loving shit out of me…even when you scare me…even when I scare myself with just how much I care.” You shrug with one shoulder. “I’m not here to worship your every move without question. And I’m pretty sure you could find that elsewhere. No, worship isn’t my bag. Love, though…even with all the doubt and questions and frustration…I can do that.”

He just stares for a moment. Then he relaxes his head and shuts his eyes.

   12. Hipbone

You’re reading in your room at night. When half the bed creaks and dips you don’t even look over, you just grab the bag of chips and set it in between the two of you.

“No thanks,” Gabe says and moves the bag elsewhere. He puts his head on your shoulder. “What are you reading now?”

It’s the same book you hadn’t finished the night that Gabriel…ahem. You shake your head slightly and refocus your attention on the story. It’s not hard, and you’re drawn back into an engrossing resolution.

Until Gabriel bites at your hip and gives it such a filthy tongue-involved kiss that you jerk and your book crashes painfully into your face. You ignore the throbbing of your nose, though, to stare at Gabriel. His smile is so delightfully wicked and you can still feel where he kissed you.

“That might have been the most underrated one yet,” he says and sits up.

You flash hot and glare at him, laying the book on your chest. “You teasing little bastard.”

You’re on your way to giving him a piece of your mind when Gabriel’s eyes darken and in a second he’s straddling your waist and moving the book over to the table. He grabs your hands with his, palm-to-palm, and laces your fingers together as he sinks his weight on top of you.

“Oh no, Honeybear.” He licks his lips. “‘Teasing’ implies no intent to follow through, and me? I’ve got plenty of that.”

You swallow hard. And smirk. “Prove it.”

   13. Thigh (and Oh My)

You’re sweating, gasping; your lips feel well-used and you’re sure you have a thousand and one hickeys all over your body. Right now Gabe is adding to the collection by kissing your thighs. Outer, on top, maddeningly not inner but you refuse to beg. So far. This might be how you die; he might kill you just by sheer want.

But oh, what a way to go.

Finally he moves inward. His kisses are small but sizzle with his magical indentations. He licks a small stripe up the skin and peppers the area with even lighter, more sensitive kisses. He repeats the motions on your other thigh, lick, kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss, and you moan at the pressure in your body building increasingly (too) fast.

“You know…my favorite type of kiss is definitely not underrated,” Gabriel chuckles from between your legs.

You find you have no problem with the addition.

 As you both lie in the afterglow –Gabriel smug and pleased, and you spent and pleased– you manage to croak, “You were right. Definitely not underrated.”

“Mm hm.” He pulls you closer into his arms. “What do you think, Muffin? Is it your favorite too?”

You think. And smile. And laugh. You roll over to lie half on his chest and meet him face to face. “One of them,” you say, considering. “But you don’t have a catalogue to compare it to like I do.” He raises an eyebrow but you stick with your idea. “I just think that little list of yours was…interesting. You might like some of them more than you think.” You know you have.

His eyes take on that mischievous shine you love so much. “Maybe I will.”

“You might have to come around more often.”

His expression softens. “I think I can do that.” He leans in to kiss your lips. You move your face at the last second and press a kiss to his forehead. You have no grace, no pagan magic, so you treat it with reverence. Like a promise.

…

“No to sound like I’m in a hurry, but I can’t wait until we get to the end of–.”

“Shut up, Gabriel.”